Saint Anne's Aging Services

Saint Anne's Aging Services is a new initiative by Catholic Social Services (CSS) dedicated to supporting the growing (and longer living) senior population in Rapid City, SD. St. Anne's, an innovative home-sharing program, envisions connecting seniors with compatible housemates. Seniors (age 62+) offer a room in their home in exchange for reduced rent and light assistance (5–8 hours/week) with household tasks.

This mutually beneficial arrangement addresses two critical community needs simultaneously: it provides seniors, often on fixed incomes, with supplemental income and companionship while helping reduce their social isolation, and it offers affordable housing options for renters who provide light services such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, or basic home maintenance. The program creates connections that enrich both parties' lives.

The program aims to launch in fall 2025, beginning with a volunteer component focused on assisting seniors in need of light services. This approach will help refine service delivery before expanding to the full home-sharing model.

You can donate to the program here

Why This Program Matters

Understanding the needs in our community

Rapid Growth

The 62+ population in Rapid City is growing faster than the state average

Rising Challenges

Seniors face increasing loneliness, mobility issues, housing insecurity, and high living costs

Critical Gaps

Shortage of affordable housing and assisted living options

Mental Health

Suicide rate is highest among those aged 75+

Our Two-Part Approach

1. Companion Program

Volunteer Support Network

Compassionate volunteers provide regular companionship and non-medical support. This program helps reduce isolation and enables seniors to age in place with dignity and independence.

Regular companionship visits
Light household assistance
Transportation support
Social activities and outings

Become a Volunteer

Request a Volunteer

2. Home-Sharing Program

Intergenerational Living Solution

Seniors (Age 62+) offer a room in exchange for low rent and light help (5–8 hours/week). This builds intergenerational community and provides mutual support for both parties. See more details below.

Affordable housing solution
Companionship and security
Light assistance with daily tasks
Intergenerational friendship

APPLY to sharE my home (Home Provider APPLICATION)

Apply to find a home (Home Seeker APPLICATION)

What Is Home Sharing?

A modern solution with ancient roots

Home-sharing enables two or more unrelated people to share housing for their mutual benefit. A home provider (Age 62+) offers a private bedroom and shared common area in exchange for rent, help around the house or a combination of the two. Every home-sharing arrangement is unique. It’s about people helping people and creating affordable housing. It is an answer for some people to the high-rent crisis and increasingly isolated aging population. This approach has been proven successful in 60+ programs nationwide.

St. Anne's Aging Services receives inquiries from potential Providers and Seekers via the completed home seeker or home provider application. You can also call 605-348-6086 to find out more about the program.

Applications are carefully reviewed and a call or e-mail may be sent to clarify or complete missing information. Once all forms are complete, the matching process will begin. There are no time frames for matching Providers and Seekers, nor is there any guarantee that you will be matched.

Please be aware that this is not an emergency shelter program nor is it a caregiving arrangement.
See Eligibility Requirements
Home-Provider (i.e homeowner) requirements
- Age 62 years or older
- The utilities, property taxes, and mortgage payments must be in good standing and the home cannot be in jeopardy of foreclosure or eviction.
- Must have all working large appliances and have a bedroom for the Home Seeker to use.
- Provide 3 verifiable references.
- Home must be in the Rapid City metro area and they must use their home as their primary residence.
Home-Seeker (i.e. renter) requirements
- Have proof of steady income through employment or a student housing income.
- Provide three verifiable references and pass criminal background checks.
- Participate in at least five meetups with potential homeowner match before a decision is made and a home share agreement is written. Out of those five meet-ups, CSS staff will be at least present for the first three meetings.
See Frequently Asked Questions
Is Home Share safe?
Home Share provides an added layer of security as both seekers and providers must pass a criminal background check in addition to having a character reference check.

How long does it take to be matched?
Once an application is complete, a home share seeker is placed on a waiting list for available opportunities. There is no set timeframe as each setting is different and each person has their own unique needs.

Can I view available rooms before completing an application?
No, a completed application is needed before we can share any details of available opportunities.

Does Home Share provide immediate housing?
No, as there is no timeframe of how soon a match can be made, we recommend seekers have suitable housing while they wait for their match.

How much is the average rent being charged?
The average rent a seeker can expect to pay is between $600-700/month but varies with each provider.

Thorough Screening

Background checks, references, and safe environment training for all participants

Legal Protection

Comprehensive agreements and oversight to protect all parties involved

Ongoing Support

Regular follow-ups and support from program staff

Support Our Mission

Aging alone is not the future we want. Help us bring hope, housing, and companionship to our 62+ community.

Donate to Saint Anne's