What is ShareHouse?

ShareHouse is operated from ARCH's warehouse, behind the ARCH offices. Members of the community are able to drop off gently used household items like beds, chairs, couches, bedding, kitchenware, toiletries, and housekeeping tools and supplies. The items are inventoried and sorted by ARCH staff and volunteers, and organized in a store-like presentation. ARCH clients, and those of our partner agencies, who were experiencing homelessness and are now ready to be rehoused are able to receive the items that they need. Together, ARCH staff, volunteers, and clients transport the items to their new homes.

Why is ShareHouse vital?

Success in rehousing lies in treating clients with dignity, and ensuring that their new spaces be equipped with basic home furnishings and housewares. Providing shelter is one challenge, but creating housing options in which people can feel safe and secure requires an additional layer of effort. Besides the sense of "making a house a home," adequate bedding and tools for cooking at home allow for better health outcomes, the ability to interrupt the cycle of crisis thinking and decision making, and instead, allow for long term planning. Without a resource like ShareHouse, either clients are rehoused into empty housing, they are beholden to borrow from family and friends, or organizations must work to pool resources and donations on a case-by-case basis. With ShareHouse as a resource, ARCH clients and clients of other rapid rehousing programs across Acadiana have one location that specializes in starting-over house kits. In addition, the general public knows where to take their gently used household items, the logistics are clear to donors, and there is a unified opportunity for volunteers seeking to help the unsheltered population get back on their feet. ShareHouse is the efficient solution to a longstanding challenge.

How can I help ShareHouse?

• Organize a donation drive for ShareHouse at your workplace!

• Connect with us and find out a specific item that we are lacking, like pillows or pots and pans, and get your friends and family together to collect them in a fun way.

• If you like to volunteer, we need you to help with sorting, or if you have truck, we could use extra hands for move-ins. Click here to volunteer today!

Other ShareHouse FAQs:

• When is the ShareHouse open for donations? ShareHouse receives donations from the general public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.

• Can I get a tax receipt for my donation? Yes, when you bring us items for donation or have large items picked up, we will give you a tax receipt for your donation.

• Does ShareHouse have guidelines for the condition of my donated items? We do have donation guidelines of furniture and smaller household items. Items should be clean and in good working condition. We cannot accept items that are broken, torn, or stained. We like to say, if you would have your mom use it, we’ll take it (provided you like your mom).

• Does ShareHouse pick up donations? Yes, we do. We ask that if you are able to bring it to us, but if it is too big, we can pick it up. Please email rachel@archacadiana.org with your name, contact number, and location, and we will get back to you shortly!

• Why does ShareHouse ask for a minimum donation for pickups? We encourage donors to bring items to us if at all possible. We help nearly 100 households per month, but charge no fees to our clients. In order to continue to provide services to our clients, we need to at least recoup our operating costs. This donation helps us to cover our costs.

• How does a person in need get help from ShareHouse? If you are in need, or know someone in need of furniture and household goods, we’re here to help. The process begins with a referral from a social service agency. Types of agencies that can refer include housing authorities, homeless service providers, and disaster relief organizations.

• Will you resell my donation? The vast majority of our donations, nearly 95%, go directly to our clients in need. We do auction some items of value such as antiques and collectibles to help raise funds to pay for our operating expenses, since this also helps us to serve our client base.

• Will you turn down my donation? We do not take food, clothing, or toys. All items must be light enough to be carried by two people. We reserve the right to refuse any item based on current needs and ShareHouse capacity.

• What is the basic ShareHouse contact info? We are located at 211-A Guilbeau Road in Lafayette, Louisiana. The ShareHouse Director’s email is rachel@archacadiana.org, and the best phone number is (337) 399-2559, ext. 1.