Finding a place to live in the East Bay shouldn’t mean leaving the neighborhoods you love. Whether you are searching for an affordable room near Walnut Creek or seeking a stable community connection in Pinole, we match you with welcoming home-sharing opportunities across the region. If you need to rent a room long-term, Contra Costa County homeowners are opening their doors to help you stay rooted.
Finding a budget-friendly place to live in Contra Costa can feel impossible. Instead of competing for overpriced studios or dealing with the headache of a grueling highway commute, let us connect you with a welcoming local homeowner who has a spare room to share. Many of our matches result in meaningful, long-term friendships.
Escape the high costs of traditional renting. Enjoy affordable rent that leaves more room in your budget to actually enjoy everything Contra Costa has to offer.
Trade your commute for community. Skip the packed traffic on Highway 4 or Interstate 680 and live right where you need to be in West or Central County.
Move forward with confidence. We do not just hand you a list of rooms; our local Contra Costa team conducts thorough background checks to ensure a stable living arrangement.
Our free share housing program is open to anyone 18 and older looking for an affordable way to live in Contra Costa County. If you meet our income and background criteria, our local staff will help you find a great match.
We welcome community college students, educators, healthcare workers, professionals, and other members of the local workforce looking for housing closer to school, work, and everyday life near Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College.
You may also qualify if you are relocating to the East Bay, downsizing, or simply looking for a more affordable place to live in a neighborhood that works for you.
To ensure sustainable matches in Contra Costa, home seekers must meet our program’s core requirements.
Home seekers must demonstrate steady, verifiable income that is at least twice the rent, or possess comparable savings. We proudly work with individuals utilizing third-party rental subsidies.
Every seeker must pass a standard background check. This checks for criminal history, evictions, and financial judgments, but it does not impact your credit score.
Finding a room in the East Bay starts with a simple conversation. Our local team can help you apply, explore compatible home-sharing matches, and guide you through each step toward move-in.
Contact us by phone, email, or through our online inquiry form. We’ll explain how home sharing works and help you decide whether the program is right for you.
Complete your application online, by email, or by mail. You’ll need to provide the requested income documentation and photo ID.
We’ll schedule an in-person or virtual intake to get to know you, review your application, verify your information, and better understand what you’re looking for in a home.
A background check is completed by all participants before moving forward with the matching process.
Once the intake process is completed your background check is approved, your profile becomes active and the matching process begins.
Once we identify a possible match, we’ll share the opportunity with you and the Home Provider. If you’re both interested, we’ll help coordinate an introduction and guide you through the next steps.
References are shared with participants to check, giving you and the Home Provider another opportunity to learn more about each other before making a decision.
If you both feel comfortable moving forward, you’ll meet with our team to discuss expectations and complete a Living Together Agreement (LTA) before move-in.
Once the agreement is complete, you can move in and begin your home-sharing arrangement. Our team will check in after move-in.
We’ll continue to stay connected after your match. Our team provides quarterly check-ins and shares resources and mediation support as needed.
We will guide you through the application and matching process to find your perfect fit in the East Bay.
Not a single dime. We know the East Bay rental market is expensive enough, which is why Home Match is a 100% free service for home seekers. There are no application costs, background check fees, or hidden matching charges. You are only responsible for paying your agreed-upon rent directly to your Contra Costa homeowner once you move in.
Yes, if it works for both you and the homeowner. Some East Bay providers offer a “task exchange” where you pay lower rent in return for helping out with light duties—like taking the recycling out, carrying groceries, or running errands around Walnut Creek or Pinole. If you mutually agree to this, it is strictly capped at a maximum of 10 hours per week and can absolutely never involve personal caregiving of any kind.
No. Instead of using a rigid, generic lease template, our local team will help you and the homeowner draft a customized Living Together Agreement (LTA) prior to move-in. This personalized document establishes clear expectations regarding your monthly rent, use of shared spaces, and household rules to ensure a respectful and comfortable living environment for both of you.
Looking for something? We’ve got you covered! Let us help you get all the info you need. We can’t wait to connect with you!
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