HOSTS for HOSPITALS provides lodging through two housing networks:
(1) most often at Host-homes with Hosts present as well, and
(2) at times as available, at Private-housing, such as Airbnbs, In-law suites, Cottage houses, donated apartments and vacant properties whose residents are away.

A comfortable place to sleep, a clean bathroom and a feeling of home. Sheets, towels, blankets and the like are included, as well as coordination to and arrival at the property. Meals or transportation are not provided– these are the responsibility of the Guests. Prior to arrival, Hosts/housing-providers will have the opportunity by phone or email to discuss with Guests matters related to staying at the property.

Guests are accepted in association with patients receiving treatment at any medical facility within the area of Greater Philadelphia, including Southern New Jersey and Wilmington, Delaware.

Depending upon the medical situation, within a 45-minute drive from a given medical facility may at times be helpful to a particular patient-family receiving care at that facility.

Persons interested in learning about hosting/offering housing are invited to submit the form on this page or call or email HOSTS for HOSPITALS: 484-380-2999 | lodging@hostsforhospitals.org

The interests of the perspective Host/housing-provider will be discussed, as well as what the lodging-property has to offer in general in terms of location, number of rooms and beds, times potentially availability, etc. If deemed a good fit, an application will be completed providing greater property detail, e.g., parking, kitchen use, washer-dryer, etc.

Hosts/housing-providers decide who, when and for how long they wish to have Guests.

HOSTS for HOSPITALS sends out a weekly email about patient-families in need of lodging, with Hosts/housing-providers emailing back only if they are interested in lodging one of the patient-families. At times HOSTS for HOSPITALS may also contact a Host/housing-provider directly about lodging a particular patient-family, with no explanation being required if it happens the Host/housing-provider wishes to decline lodging the Guests at that time.

Hosts/housing-providers may receive a utilities reimbursement of up to $15/night, and a cleaning fee at the end of the guest stay. Both fees need to be stipulated by the Host/housing-provider at the time of making a lodging offer.

Private-setting lodging is available to potential Guests regardless of a patient’s age, illness or number of people in the Guest-party, as long as the Guests:

(1) live so far from the hospital that commuting is difficult
(2) have a permanent home to return to
(3) are a patient, or are a support person for a patient receiving medical care at a Greater Philadelphia medical facility
(4) are free of alcohol or other substance dependency, and be without threatening mental health problems.

Patients are eligible to be Guests as long as they can be independent, either by themselves or with the help of an accompanying support person.

To help cover the costs of our program, there is a $20/night/per-family service fee. The fee is not a charitable donation.

A personal character reference is required for each Guest age 18 and above. This reference person is usually a physician or other health care provider from the Guest’s home community. The reference is to affirm that the Guest is considerate, reliable, responsible and able to manage independently at the lodging property. The rule of thumb is: would I invite this person to stay in my own home?

Once Guests accept a lodging offer, Hosts/housing-providers are provided the names and contact information for the Guests. The Guests are then asked to contact that Host/housing-provider within 24 hours to coordinate arrangements for the stay. At this time, the Host/housing-provider and their Guests discuss any lodging guidelines regarding parking, property access, kitchen and/or laundry use, departure, etc. Guests are also asked to confirm the stay with their Host 48 hours before the expected arrival at the lodging property.

If either the Host/housing-provider or Guests need to change their plans, both should notify the other and the HOSTS for HOSPITALS office ASAP. Also, any additional Guests who have not gone through the screening process will not be able to stay at the lodging-property until a reference check is completed for them.