HomeExchange launched this solidarity housing initiative after regularly receiving messages from HomeExchange members looking to help people in need by offering their home. If you are one of them, thank you very much for offering your home and for your generosity!
1. How do I know if my home is suitable to host people in need?
In the event of a pandemic, for sanitary reasons, you will need to provide an entire home or a space with its own entrance and own amenities (such as an in-law apartment, RV, etc.). No common areas (kitchen, bathroom, living space) can be shared for your safety and the safety of your guest.
In any other situation, you will need to provide at least a private bedroom.
2. How can I make my home available?
HomeExchange has created a new group called Solidarity that will allow the HomeExchange team or members in crisis to search and quickly identify homes that are available. Here are the steps to follow to join this group and identify your home as available:
STEP 1: Log into your account and go to “My profile”
STEP 2: Under your profile, scroll down to the Groups section, then click on “Manage my groups”
STEP 3: Under the section “Lifestyle,” click on the icon of a home with a medical worker in it, then on “Join this group.”
Once your home will be added to this group, you will be able to see it under “My groups” section:
STEP 4: Update your calendar to inform members of when your home is open.
By adding your home to the Solidarity group and updating your calendar, members in need and HomeExchange employees will be able to quickly identify homes available within our community by using filters during our research.
If you have trouble during the process, please contact us at solidarity@homeexchange.com for assistance.
3. How should I clean my home before and after hosting?
Please refer to the following guidelines for cleaning your space based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For recommendations on what products to use, most common disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency are believed to be effective against COVID-19. Please remember that all hosts opting to host a medical responder are required to wait 72 hours between stays to properly clean and disinfect their home.
4. Will the person I host be from the HomeExchange community?
Yes. We require all guests to become members of HomeExchange and become verified before staying in your home.
5. Will my home be covered by the HomeExchange guarantees?
Yes, your home and exchange will be covered by the HomeExchange guarantees, just like any other exchange. For details on our guarantee policy, click here.
6. Do I have to meet my guest in person?
No. You can use email, phone calls, or video chat to get to know your guest and their situation before arranging to host them. Whenever possible, we encourage self check-ins. Many HomeExchangers use key deposit boxes, key safe boxes, or hide their key in a safe space outside their home.
7. Is there a limit to how long the guests can stay?
By participating in the Solidarity initiative, hosts agree to allow guests to stay for a minimum of seven days, but the exact length of stay will be determined by the host and guest. We encourage hosts to be as flexible as possible in the event the guest needs to extend their stay. In the event that a host cannot accommodate a guest for a longer period, we will work with you to find a solution; please contact solidarity@homeexchange.com.
8. Will I receive GuestPoints for hosting members in need?
Yes, HomeExchange will be happy to offer you 500 GuestPoints for each exchange with these members. It will not cost the members anything to stay in your home, so please set the amount of GuestPoints for the exchange to 0 for your exchange partner.
To set the GuestPoints for the exchange to 0, go to your conversation with your potential guest, click on the pen icon next to the GuestPoints section on the right side of the page, and enter 0.
When the exchange has been finalised, please contact us at solidarity@homeexchange.com and we will then credit 500 GuestPoints to your account manually. These GuestPoints are a thank you from HomeExchange for your gracious hospitality.
9. How can I opt out of the Solidarity group?
Go to “Manage my groups” under your profile (see question two for details on how to get there). From there, under “My groups,” click on the Solidarity icon, then “Group page.”
Once on the Solidarity group page, you can click “Leave this group” on the top right of the page.
10. Is there a HomeExchange email to discuss this further?
Yes, please email us at solidarity@homeexchange.com for any questions related to the Solidarity initiative.