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Room for Help

Companion housing · Portland, Oregon

A safer, happier home is possible.

Room for Help matches older adults who want to stay in their homes with carefully screened Helpers who need an affordable place to live. Everyday help, good company, and peace of mind for the whole family.

I’m planning for a parent I have a spare room I’m looking for housing
An older woman at her kitchen table while a younger woman washes up at the sink.
Someone handing a basket of groceries to an older woman at her front door.
A spare bedroom with the bed made and light from two windows.

A home that works better for both

A good match can make everyday life easier for two people at very different stages of life. Each brings something valuable to the home, and both have something to look forward to.

For the Host

  • A helping hand with errands, household tasks, and the things that have become a little harder to manage alone
  • Someone to share a meal with, catch up over coffee, or simply enjoy having around
  • More freedom to enjoy the home and neighborhood they love

For the Helper

  • More room in the budget for savings, education, or getting established
  • The chance to build a meaningful friendship with someone from another generation

What a little help might look like

Knowing what to expect helps everyone feel comfortable sharing a home. Depending on what both people agree to, everyday help might include:

  • Cooking, dishes, laundry, and keeping the house tidy
  • Groceries, pharmacy pickups, and errands
  • Rides to appointments or to see friends
  • Yard work, taking out bins, and light household tasks
  • Help with pets, technology, and video calls with family
  • Sharing meals, conversation, and everyday companionship

How Room for Help Works

Every Helper is carefully chosen

Our team takes time to get to know each Host and Helper before making introductions.

Helpers come through trusted community referral channels and complete our interview and screening process before being introduced to Hosts.

Helpers don’t browse a public directory of older homeowners. We make introductions privately.

Where would you like to start?

An older man and a younger man looking at a tablet together on a sofa.

For families

Planning ahead for Mom or Dad

You’ve been handling the errands, the calls, and the worry. There’s a middle path between doing it all yourself and assisted living.

Get started Read common questions
A man unpacking boxes in a sunlit bedroom.

For Helpers

Interested in becoming a Helper?

A welcoming home, an affordable place to live, and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s everyday life.

Learn about becoming a Helper

Now welcoming Portland families

A safer, happier home is possible.

Tell us a little about yourself and we’ll help you explore whether Room for Help might be a good fit.

Get started
Prefer to talk to a person? Call Bernice, our founder, at 503-810-5253
I represent an organization that could refer helpers