BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The City of Bellingham (COB) has established a partnership with Nesterly to operate the Bellingham Home Sharing Program. The initiative connects homeowners in Whatcom County who have available bedrooms with renters seeking housing for 1 month or longer.
According to program guidelines from the Department of Planning and Community Development, homeowners must reside in the property as a primary residence. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and residents of Bellingham or Whatcom County.
The program includes the following features:
- User verification and background checks
- Secure automated rental payments
- Customizable rental agreements
- Messaging and video call functions
While creating a profile is free, users pay a one-time booking fee between $95 and $195 upon confirming a housing match. A 2.5% fee of the monthly rent is also applied for ongoing platform use and support.
Click for more information
Click for more information
Renters may negotiate a reduction in monthly rent in exchange for performing household chores. Nesterly staff, including licensed social workers, provide support from the matching process through the conclusion of the rental term.
The Nesterly platform was created in partnership with the City of Boston in 2017 to match graduate students with older homeowners.
The COB 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan states that 56% of renters in Bellingham are cost-burdened. The COB City Council adopted the plan on May 8, 2023. The Home Sharing Program fits within strategies announced in the Mayor’s November 21, 2024, executive order to expand housing opportunities.
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