Finding a place to live in the City shouldn’t mean leaving the neighborhoods you love. Whether you are looking for an affordable room near SFSU or seeking a stable community connection, we match you with welcoming home-sharing opportunities across San Francisco.
Finding an affordable place to live in San Francisco isn’t easy. Instead of scrolling endlessly through rental apps, or taking on the headache of a grueling daily commute, let us connect you with a local homeowner with a spare room to share. Many of our matches result in meaningful friendships.
Escape the high costs of San Francisco apartments. Enjoy affordable rent that leaves more room in your budget to actually enjoy everything the City has to offer.
Skip the packed Muni buses and long BART rides. Live right where you need to be, whether that is near UCSF, City College, or your favorite local district.
Move forward with confidence. We do not just hand you a list of rooms; our local San Francisco team conducts thorough background checks for a stable living arrangement.
Our free share housing program is open to anyone 18 and older looking for an affordable way to live in San Francisco. 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 stable housing closer to school, work, and everyday life near SFSU, UCSF, City College, and downtown San Francisco.
You may also qualify if you are relocating to the City, downsizing, or simply looking for a more affordable place to live in a neighborhood that works for you.
To ensure sustainable matches in the City, 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 San Francisco starts with a simple conversation. Our 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.
If you are looking for reliable rooms for rent, take the first step today. We will guide you through the application and matching process to find your perfect fit in San Francisco.
Not at all. Navigating the San Francisco rental market is notoriously expensive, but Home Match is 100% free for home seekers. We never charge application, background screening, or placement fees. Your only financial obligation is the monthly rent you agree to pay your home provider.
Yes, depending on the homeowner’s needs. Some participants choose a “task exchange” arrangement, offering lower rent in return for light household chores—like taking the recycling to the curb, carrying groceries, or running errands in the neighborhood. If you mutually agree to this, the exchange is strictly capped at a maximum of 10 hours per week and absolutely never includes personal caregiving of any kind.
Rather than a rigid, standard lease agreement, our San Francisco staff helps you and your home provider build a customized Living Together Agreement (LTA) prior to moving in. This document establishes clear expectations regarding your monthly rent, use of shared spaces, and guest boundaries, ensuring a stable and mutually respectful environment from day one.
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!
FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
"*" indicates required fields
