COEUR d’ALENE — Rachael Gulliford was stressed as she looked for a two-bedroom house for herself and her daughter to rent in Coeur d’Alene.

Many charged more than $2,000 a month, required first and last month’s rent and a damage deposit, meaning she needed in the range of $5,000.

“You have to make like double that," Gulliford said.

She looked for help and found it through HomeShare Kootenai County, a nonprofit that tries to match homeowners and tenants.

In this case, it connected Gulliford with Annie Parker. Both were looking for a place to live and hoping to share costs with a roommate.

After a meet and greet, the two hit it off.

The move will allow each to save money as well as giving Gulliford the comfort of knowing her daughter will be in a good environment, as Parker is also seeking a quiet, peaceful home.

“It literally couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time in a more perfect way,” Gulliford said. 

While initially hesitant to contact HomeShare, Gulliford is a believer now.

“It’s nice to know there’s a program out there that’s helping people with the rent,” she said.

Parker was equally happy about the match.

She wants a place to live where she will feel comfortable walking in the door and saying, “I’m home.”

“I feel super blessed,” she said. “The universe is on my side.”

Tess Reasor, who recently came on board as HomeShare Kootenai County director, was pleased.

“We matched the concerned mother with a local social worker, with whom, to our pleasant surprise, she had previously worked with. This was a game-changer for her both mentally and financially," Reasor said. "She expressed profound gratitude, especially as she could confidently move in with her daughter, knowing and trusting her new roommate."

Reasor said the program has a database of about 50 people seeking rentals and about 15 homeowners with a room to rent. New applications are coming in weekly.

As word of HomeShare Kootenai County grows, Reasor is confident more people will utilize it.

“It’s a viable housing solution,” she said. "I believe in the program. I think it’s definitely needed in our community.”

HomeShare is a nationwide program that has worked well in other states.

It could help alleviate Kootenai County's affordable housing shortage as prices climbed over the past few years. Seniors in need of additional income so they can remain in their homes, empty nesters and snowbirds are potential room providers.

College students, traveling workers and young adults might be the typical people seeking a room to rent.

Coeur d’Alene homes on HomeShare Kootenai County's website include a furnished room in a mobile home near Nettleton Gulch for $500 to $600 per month plus 50% of the utilities and a $200 deposit; a private downstairs room in a single-family home for $375-$400/month with a $500 deposit; and a furnished room for $800 a month and an $800 deposit.

Reasor said thanks to HomeShare’s systematic approach, they have made several matches.

HomeShare includes background checks to ensure safety, build trust, and ascertain financial stability; match meetings to gauge compatibility, set clear expectations and foster trust; trial living period that gives an opportunity for a test run, making adjustments and offers flexibility and dispute assistance which ensures impartial mediation, effective resolution and peace of mind.

“Our process not only provides structure but also ensures that home-sharing experiences are both successful and harmonious,” Reasor said.

In the case of Gulliford and Parker, an agreement spells out each person’s responsibilities.

Such paperwork is important, Reasor said. 

“Every person is so different and there are so many different types of scenarios,” she said.

Parker said it’s important to take steps early to be sure it’s a good fit rather than find out later it doesn’t work.

“We got that out of the way right from the get-go,” she said.

HomeShare Kootenai County was established earlier this year. It launched out of the group formerly known as the Regional Housing and Growth Issues Partnership, which is now Connect Kootenai.

In June, the Coeur d'Alene City Council unanimously approved a one-time request to give HomeShare Kootenai County $50,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds the city received.

The money will go toward marketing efforts to expand the program and operational expenses.

 “There’s momentum," Reasor said. “We’re just looking at innovative ways to bring back viable, sustainable living in our area."

There is no fee to participate. HomeShare is primarily funded through grants and donations. The home provider pays 25% of the first month’s rent to HomeShare, while the seeker pays a $35 fee.

It could also be that rent is reduced in exchange for services, such as yard work, house cleaning or transportation.

Parker said it was a pretty easy process when she filled out the online application. It wasn’t long before she heard from Reasor.

“I think I have a match for you," she said.

Coeur d’Alene City Councilmember Kiki Miller has been a strong proponent of HomeShare Kootenai County, helped start it and is the city’s liaison on its board of directors.

She said she is pleased with the progress that’s been made. In a matter of months, it’s gone from being relatively unknown in Kootenai County to a program that’s receiving rising interest as more learn of its benefits.

“We knew the education piece was going to take some time,” Miller said.

She believes the city’s investment is a sound one. She said that over time, HomeShare will have an even more significant impact on housing in Kootenai County.

“That’s the beauty of the program,” Miller said.