Committee hears pilot to match older homeowners with renters in Minnesota NICE Home Share proposal

The House Committee on Housing Finance and Policy heard testimony on House File 1343, sponsored by Representative Zalesnikar, which would create the Minnesota NICE Home Share pilot program to match older homeowners (hosts) with renters (guests) as a low-cost, locally administered option to increase affordable housing and reduce social isolation.

The pilot would start in three counties, include criminal background checks and matching services, and allocate $150,000 for initial program administration and platform development. Representative Zalesnikar told the committee the pilot draws on models used in 32 other states and aims to help older Minnesotans remain in their homes while creating affordable rental options for students, workers and others.

Rebecca Sash, director of the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, described the demographic pressures in Greater Minnesota and said home sharing improves both housing supply and social supports. "Home sharing programs have addressed these challenges by matching older adults with renters in need of affordable and available housing," Sash said, adding that many providers reported reduced loneliness and improved well-being after matches.

Christy Kane of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission presented regional data from Virginia, Minnesota (St. Louis County), where the average social security benefit for seniors was $1,329 per month and the average two-bedroom rent at the time of a recent study was $840 per month. Kane told the committee that in communities like Virginia, opening homes to shared arrangements can close the affordability gap for older residents.

Thomas Elnis, state advocacy director for AARP Minnesota, said the organization supports the pilot as a potentially scalable, low-cost tool to keep older Minnesotans in their communities. Several lawmakers asked about privacy and program details. Representative Momani Hilssey asked how private data would be protected; Zalesnikar said the agency would study data-privacy best practices as part of phase one and that other states' models (for example, Arizona and Colorado) provide guidance.

Members also asked about typical rent expectations and the fiscal note. Zalesnikar and witnesses said typical monthly rents in other programs often range from about $500 to $800, depending on location and amenities. The committee clarified that the requested $150,000 in the bill covers setup and administrative costs for the pilot, not rent subsidies to participating renters.

The AARP Minnesota representative and regional agency directors urged the committee to approve the pilot; after discussion the committee laid House File 1343 over for possible inclusion. No final appropriation or statewide rollout was approved at the hearing.