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One of the key ingredients to the success of Second Home is the Home Agreement Contract between the Home Provider and the student in need of housing. The home agreement process is facilitated by an impartial, professional mediator who provides a safe setting for both parties to express their priorities and expectations. The mediator helps clarify points of concern and clears the way to discuss topics that can be difficult to bring up in a different setting.
Tera Cleland is a professional mediator working at East County Resolutions. She has been an invaluable partner and contributor to the Second Home process for over 10 years.
Tera works at one of the five professional mediation centers that Second Home partners with across four counties. These professional mediators support students and Host Home Providers as they approach the details of a housing agreement, a rental contract without rent, that outlines the guidelines and house rules for both parties.
According to Tera, the attribute that stands out most about the Second Home program is that the students engaged in the program have been referred by a local school district, and are truly looking for opportunities to overcome their current housing dilemma. Tera also enjoys seeing and working with repeat Home Providers who are eager to provide support to another student, after building a successful and beneficial relationship with a previous student
The agreement process begins when a member of the Second Home staff contacts the mediation office with a referral of a student and Home Provider hoping to reach a living arrangement. A mediation date is scheduled, and a list of questions to consider before the meeting is sent to the student and the Home Provider. These questions cover essential points to collectively agree upon, including areas of potential challenges, to facilitate proactive discussion. Topics discussed include daily schedules, house rules, quiet hours, private spaces versus community areas, pets, guests, and meals. Tera shared that determining if the Home Provider’s holiday plans are private family gatherings, or if the student is welcome to join is a beneficial topic to discuss ahead of time, so everyone knows what to expect.
The mediator supervising this process may invite the student to meet ahead of the mediation process to help the student think through things that are important to them in a safe space. “Students facing homelessness are looking for a better home environment and can be inclined to agree with any suggestions offered. The role of the mediator is to empower the student to speak up during the process.”
Regular check-ins are scheduled with the mediator after move-in as well, to assist with discussion about any areas that may need to be amended or added to the agreement.
With Second Home, mediation is an ongoing tool available to ensure the success of the shared living situation. Often, the experience brings valuable insights and strategies that both parties will use to their advantage for years to come.
“If you have a spare room and access to a bathroom, you really can help a student in our community succeed. This program has the support to help everyone be successful. You can make a difference and it’s easier than you may think.”
~Tera Cleland
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