In Massachusetts, the housing crisis continues to squeeze young professionals while many older adults live in homes larger than they need. BlueHub Capital CEO Elyse Cherry has been championing a creative solution: homesharing.
The Boston Business Journal reports that Cherry testified before a State House housing committee in support of legislation that would establish clear rules for homeowners to rent out spare rooms. The approach is straightforward but powerful. By connecting residents with extra space—often seniors seeking companionship or supplemental income—with those in need of affordable housing, homesharing has the potential to ease market pressures and strengthen communities.
The benefits extend beyond housing supply. For seniors, it offers steady income and reduces isolation. For younger residents, it opens doors to neighborhoods and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. According to advocates, there are as many as 500,000 unused bedrooms in Massachusetts—an untapped resource that Cherry estimates could unlock $25 billion in new housing value without laying a single brick.
With support from groups like the Associated Industries of Massachusetts and the Environmental League of Massachusetts, homesharing is gaining traction as a commonsense, human-centered way to address one of the state’s most urgent challenges.