Home Share is a new way of support in Nova Scotia that enables adults funded through the Disability Support Program to choose a home with a care provider that meets their specific needs and wants.

Each home sharing arrangement varies depending on the unique needs and lifestyle preferences of the person supported and increases the opportunity for people to establish natural relationships and social connections within their community. Individuals might live with a family, roommate, couple, or in their own suite within a family home. Home Sharing can also be when the person supported owns or rents their own home and has a care provider live with them.

Home Shares are matched, monitored, and supported by Coordinating Organizations and funded through the province’s Disability Support Program.

Who are the Home Share Providers?

Home Share providers are people who have decided to share their home and provide the support that a person wants and needs. They come from a variety of backgrounds in rural and urban communities and represent the diversity that makes Nova Scotia unique.

All Home Share providers must be committed to the principles of community living and strive to create an inclusive community for everyone. Depending on the needs and wishes of the individual, Home Share providers can assist with relationship building, life skills, meal preparation, personal care, and community access.

How are Home Share matches made?

Coordinating organizations are meant to help find the best match possible. Some individuals have specific care providers in mind, while others require assistance to find a suitable match. The individual is able to choose a care provider who best suits their support needs and lifestyle preferences.

Coordinating Organizations are responsible for conducting an extensive home study process. NSCLO does not directly oversee Home Share Providers, but acts as a support to Coordinating Organizations.
What Support does NSCLO Offer to Home Share Coordinating Organizations and the community?

NSCLO is committed to supporting Home Share in the following ways:

• NSCLO operates a Community of Practice that brings together Coordinating Organizations to connect, mentor one another, offers funded Pro-D relevant to home share, and facilitates knowledge mobilization. This Community of Practice meets virtually monthly and offers twice annual, in-person Pro-D.

• NSCLO supports the community in learning more about home share through presentations, general knowledge sharing, and answering questions and emails for those in community who want to learn more.

• NSCLO works to develop sector-wide contracts, policies, procedures, guidebooks, and training specific to Home Share to support consistency and quality in the provision of supports.
If you want to learn more about home share, learn who in your area is a Coordinating Organization, or set up a presentation about Home Share, you can contact us here:

Many NSCLO member organizations offer Independent Living Supports (ILS). ILS supports people to live in their own homes with up to 84 hours of support per week. People may choose to live on their own or with a roommate with whom they may combine support hours.

Varying levels of assistance are offered and may include assisting with money management and paying bills, medical support needs and appointments, social and independent living skills, accessing the community, advice and support in advocacy, and many others.

ILS promotes independence, self-reliance, and social inclusion by be flexible and responsive. This program is funded by the Disability Support Program and offers the ability to be uniquely tailored to each person’s needs, goals, and lifestyle.

Shared Services supports individuals with disabilities who are living in Long-term care (LTC) or waiting in community or hospital for admission to LTC to be supported to live in their community of choice. This could mean, for example, sharing an apartment with a roommate or living on their own near other people in the program.

Shared Services requires both Disability Support Program (DSP) Care Coordinators (CC) and Nova Scotia Health (NSH) Care Coordinators (CC) to conduct assessments to determine the supports people want and need.

These are community-based homes that support up to four people, often with 24/7 staffing support. Many NSCLO member organizations operate Small Option Homes in communities all across the province.

Small Option Homes are caring and supportive environments meant to offer the support people want and need to live in and access their communities. These homes are staffed, union and non-union, and are usually licensed by the Department of Licensing in Nova Scotia.

Some NSCLO member organizations offer supports to families to connect with, screen, and hire respite services. Respite is essential for many families in promoting a healthy balance of support for caregivers and offers temporary relief services to those providing support to a family member at home.

Respite is not just essential for the family caregiver, it benefits the people supported as well, often expanding their network of support and promoting active and full lives in their communities.

With Individualized Funding in Nova Scotia, almost anything is possible. If you are looking for other unique ways to offer or receive support, you can reach out to your Disability Support Program Coordinator, an organization in your area, or reach out to us and we will try and connect you with someone who can help you plan for your vision of what living a good life in community means to you.