JoeyCo Connects Students and Seniors for Affordable Housing

By connecting students with older adults, we create a symbiotic relationship where both parties benefit,” Donnally explained on the startup’s website.

JoeyCo offers college students affordable housing by pairing them with retired homeowners for companionship and support.

Founder Alison Donnally launched JoeyCo to address two linked issues: the high cost of student housing and the isolation of aging adults living alone. The startup’s model creates a structural connection between these groups, providing mutual benefits through intergenerational living arrangements.

In the Bay Area, JoeyCo matches students like Nanik Tagore with retired hosts such as Robert and Paige Miller. Tagore pays $1,750 monthly rent, partially offset by about 10 hours per week of non-medical support valued at roughly $500, alongside an hourly wage that rose from $25 to $30. Hosts pay a $500 search fee, a matching fee equal to one month’s rent, and $299 monthly. This arrangement offers students rent below typical Bay Area studio costs, which range from $2,200 to $3,300 per month.

Tagore plans to remain with the Millers until the end of 2026.

Bay Area students find cheap rent through startup pairing them with retired homeowners
By Kamrin Baker