Find your supportive roommate
Through our partnership with Exceptional Minds, eligible students can get matched with a supportive roommate and start living independently, funded through your Regional Center.
Regional Center enrollment is required
You must be an active client of a California Regional Center to participate in life-sharing through Homies. Not all Exceptional Minds students are Regional Center clients.
Not sure if you qualify? Ask your family or Exceptional Minds staff.
One person, one roommate, one home
Life-sharing is a one-on-one living arrangement. You share a home with one supportive roommate who helps with your daily goals and becomes a genuine friend. It's nothing like a group home.
You choose where you live and who you live with. Your roommate is there to support you, not to control your schedule or make decisions for you.
- Live in a real apartment or house, not a facility
- Choose your own roommate
- Build a genuine friendship
- Be part of your local community
How it works
From first conversation to move-in day, the process typically takes 3-4 months
Tell Us About You
Fill out the form below and share your interests, goals, and what you're looking for in a roommate. A family member or staff can help you fill it out.
Meet with Our Team
We'll schedule a discovery call to get to know you, answer your questions, and make sure life-sharing is the right fit.
Find Your Roommate
We match you with a neurotypical supportive roommate based on your interests, lifestyle, and location. Already have someone in mind? A friend, coworker, or someone from your community can apply too.
Find Your Home
Homies handles the housing search. We work with property managers to find the right place for you and your roommate.
Move In & Thrive
Start your new chapter with ongoing support, regular check-ins, and 24/7 availability from the Homies team. The whole process typically takes 3-4 months.
Requirements
To participate in life-sharing through Homies, you'll need to meet these criteria
Basic Requirements
- 18 years or older
- Registered student at Exceptional Minds
- Active Regional Center client (required for Homies to provide services)
- No aggressive behaviors toward others, and no active elopement risk
- No suicidal ideation or threat of potential self-harm
Independent Living Readiness
- Can be left alone for a few hours while your roommate is away
- Willing to share a living space (this is a roommate dynamic, not a private caregiver arrangement)
- Ready to build a genuine friendship with your roommate
- Your service coordinator or independent facilitator knows you want to use Homies
- Family or conservator support for the program
Timeline, support, and cost
The process from first call to move-in typically takes 3 to 4 months. Most of that time is spent on matching and Regional Center coordination.
Support levels are personalized. We work best with individuals who need low to medium support, typically 100 to 250 hours per month. And because life-sharing is funded through your Regional Center, most families pay nothing out of pocket.
- 3-4 months from first call to move-in
- Low to medium support levels (100-250 hours/month)
- Funded through Regional Center, most pay nothing
- 24/7 availability from the Homies team after move-in
Real stories from our community
Meet the people whose lives have been transformed through life-sharing
“Homies helped me find my perfect roommate match. Now I'm living independently in the community where I belong, making friendships instead of just observing them.”
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from Exceptional Minds students and families
Life-sharing is a supported living arrangement where you share a home with a carefully matched supportive roommate. Your roommate lives with you, supports your daily goals, and becomes a genuine friend. It's an alternative to group homes that gives you more independence, privacy, and choice.
Life-sharing is funded through your Regional Center. Most participants pay nothing out of pocket. Your Regional Center covers the supportive roommate's compensation and program costs through Supported Living Services (SLS).
Yes. Regional Center enrollment is required to participate in life-sharing through Homies. If you're not sure whether you're a Regional Center client, ask your family or Exceptional Minds staff. Not all EM students are Regional Center clients.
From your first call with our team to move-in day, the process typically takes 3 to 4 months. This includes matching, housing search, and Regional Center coordination.
Yes! Your supportive roommate must be neurotypical, but if you already know someone who'd be a great fit, like a friend, coworker, former staff member, or someone from your community, they can apply through Homies. We'll help them through the training and qualification process.
Your wellbeing is our priority. If a match isn't the right fit, our team works with you to find a better one. We provide support throughout any transitions and make sure you're never left without a plan.
All supportive roommates undergo comprehensive background checks through state criminal court systems and the National Sex Offender database. They complete required training, pass interviews, and must meet strict qualifications before being matched. We have a zero-tolerance policy for violations.
Homies currently serves Southern California Regional Centers, but if your service coordinator is on board, we can make it work. It just takes a bit more coordination. Reach out and we'll figure it out together.
That's your choice. Exceptional Minds is in Sherman Oaks, which falls under North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLARC). If you're with Lanterman Regional Center, the catchment area covers Burbank, Glendale, and nearby cities. Some Regional Centers will allow you to stay with them even if you move temporarily for school. Homies has a housing partner in the area with a number of available two-bedroom apartments.
Yes, but Homies is primarily focused on 1:1 support. We can do a 2:1 arrangement, but we won't actively match for it. The individuals and their families would need to come to us together. It has to be the individuals' choice, not a congregate setting for the sake of convenience.
Start Your Journey
Fill out this form and our team will reach out to discuss your options.