In a groundbreaking approach to addressing the Bay Area’s notorious housing crisis, startup company Joey has developed an innovative solution that benefits both college students seeking affordable housing and homeowners with extra space.
The platform connects students with homeowners who have spare rooms, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement where students receive discounted housing in exchange for performing household chores.
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This arrangement has proven particularly valuable in high-cost areas like Marin County, where housing options for students are often limited and prohibitively expensive.
How Joey’s Housing Model Works
The concept behind Joey’s platform is elegantly simple yet potentially transformative for communities throughout Marin County.
Students pay full rent upfront but can earn back a significant portion by completing everyday household tasks for their homeowners.
From Basketball Court to Household Helper
Dominican University basketball player Nanik Tagore represents Joey’s first success story in San Rafael.
Struggling with Marin County’s steep housing costs, Tagore now pays $1,700 monthly for his room in the Miller household but receives approximately $500 back by performing chores like walking dogs, sorting mail, and taking out trash.
“It’s more than just affordable housing,” Tagore explains.
“I’ve found a real connection with the Millers while helping make their daily lives easier.”
Creating Meaningful Connections Across Generations
In Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and other affluent Marin communities, the Joey program offers more than just financial benefits.
The arrangement creates valuable intergenerational relationships that might never have formed otherwise.
A Lifeline for Caregivers
Robert Miller works long hours as a caregiver for his wife Paige, who has early-stage dementia.
Their Tiburon home now includes Tagore, whose presence provides both practical assistance and much-needed companionship.
“It gives me back my freedom,” says Paige Miller.
For residents in communities like Fairfax and Larkspur facing similar caregiving challenges, Joey’s model could offer welcome relief while maintaining independent living.
The Inspiration Behind Joey
Joey’s founder, Alison Donnally, developed the concept as a variation on traditional au pair programs but tailored for older adults.
While traveling through Novato, Sausalito, and other Marin communities, Donnally recognized the untapped potential of spare bedrooms throughout the county.
“Approximately 60% of U.S. homes contain at least one spare bedroom,” Donnally notes.
“That represents an enormous opportunity to address housing shortages while creating meaningful connections between generations.”
Expanding Through Marin County and Beyond
Although Joey has just begun with its first placement, the company sees significant potential for growth throughout Marin’s diverse communities:
For communities across Marin County facing both housing shortages and aging populations, Joey’s innovative approach addresses multiple challenges simultaneously.
The company plans to expand services throughout the North Bay.
As housing costs continue to climb in Marin’s desirable communities from Bolinas to Stinson Beach, creative solutions like Joey may help preserve the county’s diverse population.
These efforts foster new connections between generations that benefit everyone involved.
Here is the source article for this story: Bay Area Startup Helps College Students Cut Down On Rent Costs By Doing Chores
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