Housing NOW

Become a host

Fostering Community Through Homeshare in the Southern Gulf and Salt Spring Islands, British Columbia.

Housing NOW and the Southern Gulf Island Community Resource Centre, in partnership with Happipad, are addressing the need for affordable workforce housing. Using Happipad’s digital homeshare platform, Housing NOW connects homeowners with local workers, creating secure and accessible rental opportunities.

This initiative strengthens communities, supports economic resilience, and makes housing more accessible. Together, we’re building stronger, more sustainable island communities.

Become a host

For Hosts

How it works

1

Register to Host

Create your profile and complete verification.

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2

List Your Space

Add your rental, set availability, and define your house rules.

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3

Match & Get Paid

Choose a verified renter, sign a rental agreement, and receive payments securely.

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Why host with us?

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Screened and verified

Industry leading background checks and identity verification ensure a safe, secure rental experience for both you and your renter.

Set your own pricing

You determine your room’s value, with our help and knowledge of the market you’ll be priced fairly, competitively and beneficially to your needs.

Full support

Our customer support team is here to help you every step of the way – from creating your profile, to resolving conflicts, and ending your contract.

Your house, your rules

Our platform simplifies renting with tools for contracts, applications, auto rent transfers, and more!

Maintain your freedom

Host on your own schedule. Set your rooms availability with your very own booking calendar. Want to take the summer off? Not a problem!

A better way to rent

Our home sharing platform exists to help people share homes and connect homeowners with vetted, compatible renters. Host on your terms with flexible rental options, set your own house rules, and meet amazing renters who want to make a positive contribution to the community.

Hosts do not need a business license and Happipad is compliant with rental bylaws. It’s easy to turn your spare room into extra income and to meet renters you will actually enjoy having around.

Become a host

Testimonials

Why people love Happipad

  • Previously I had tried to rent out my room privately and it did not work out. I value the convenience of Happipad and the connecting with roommates that are compatible. Great program.

    Sandra

    Host since 2019

  • I’ve been a host with Happipad for a couple years now and have nothing but great things to say! I started with Happipad because I wanted to reach out to help students find a place, they can feel comfortable in and call home. Our current student is truly a part of our family.

    Paulette Facca

    Host since 2019

  • Amazing customer service. This is an organization that is doing such amazing work to make housing more affordable and making renting more enjoyable. If you’re a newcomer this is the go-to service!!!

    Fernanda Novoa

  • My experience with Happipad was nothing but phenomenal. It couldn’t have been any better. I was able to successfully find a place and close the deal in less than a week and this is helpful if you already have a lot on the go. The process was simple and streamlined, and the service was very professional. I highly recommend this, especially to the students that live in the city.

    Deborah Efretuei

    Renter

  • They are always working to have the best service and platform.

    Fatima Canales

  • “The whole idea of Happipad is a win both for the guest and the host. The selection methods, the security and safety, and your management of the program. I have learned how important building an operating agreement with my renter is.”

    Linda

    Host since 2019

  • It’s a great resource to find affordable housing in Kelowna! It’s a great option especially if you’re a student or new to the city

    Daniela Domínguez Aldama

  • It is a safe And reliable source to find housing sin Kelowna. You can see the host profile And what they can provide. It is also another way to meet new people 🙂

    Brenda Cortés

  • Previously I had tried to rent out my room privately and it did not work out. I value the convenience of Happipad and the connecting with roommates that are compatible. Great program.

    Sandra

    Host since 2019

  • I’ve been a host with Happipad for a couple years now and have nothing but great things to say! I started with Happipad because I wanted to reach out to help students find a place, they can feel comfortable in and call home. Our current student is truly a part of our family.

    Paulette Facca

    Host since 2019

  • Amazing customer service. This is an organization that is doing such amazing work to make housing more affordable and making renting more enjoyable. If you’re a newcomer this is the go-to service!!!

    Fernanda Novoa

  • My experience with Happipad was nothing but phenomenal. It couldn’t have been any better. I was able to successfully find a place and close the deal in less than a week and this is helpful if you already have a lot on the go. The process was simple and streamlined, and the service was very professional. I highly recommend this, especially to the students that live in the city.

    Deborah Efretuei

    Renter

  • They are always working to have the best service and platform.

    Fatima Canales

  • “The whole idea of Happipad is a win both for the guest and the host. The selection methods, the security and safety, and your management of the program. I have learned how important building an operating agreement with my renter is.”

    Linda

    Host since 2019

  • It’s a great resource to find affordable housing in Kelowna! It’s a great option especially if you’re a student or new to the city

    Daniela Domínguez Aldama

  • It is a safe And reliable source to find housing sin Kelowna. You can see the host profile And what they can provide. It is also another way to meet new people 🙂

    Brenda Cortés

View all reviews of our users

Looking to rent?

Can’t find housing in the Southern Gulf and Salt Spring Islands? At Happipad, we are committed to helping people find safe, comfortable and affordable housing options. Our home-sharing platform allows you to rent a spare room in an established home, giving you a unique opportunity to live with a vetted, compatible homeowner while enjoying flexible rental terms.

By joining the Happipad community, you’ll have access to a network of trusted renters and homeowners, all working together to make a positive impact on our community.

Find homes

Our partners

Have any questions?

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We’re here to help! Find answers to common questions about hosting, renting, payments, safety, and more. Browse our FAQs or reach out to our support team for assistance.

Read more FAQs

Happipad is a Canadian social enterprise dedicated to addressing Canada’s affordable housing crisis. Happipad connects hosts with compatible renters for home sharing. It offers a safe, reliable and intuitive platform for hosts to rent out their spare rooms and for renters to find affordable housing solutions.

Unlike traditional rental platforms that focus solely on long-term leases or short-term vacation rentals, Happipad caters to individuals seeking a more flexible, personalized and community-oriented housing experience with a strong emphasis on safety and trust. Happipad offers an ideal solution that bridges the gap between short-term and long-term rentals allowing renters to secure accommodations for a duration ranging from a minimum of 1 month up to 1 year with the option to renew. Whether you’re a student, newcomer, professional or digital nomad, seeking a temporary home during a work assignment, a transitional period, or an extended stay, Happipad provides the perfect middle ground for a flexible and tailored housing experience.

Hosts and renters create profiles on Happipad, specifying their preferences and requirements. The platform uses matching preferences to suggest potential matches based on compatibility. Users can then connect, communicate, send and receive applications to find the perfect home-sharing match. Happipad also takes care of the rental agreement and payment process.

Yes! We have Housing NOW team members on Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring and Saturna, available to answer your questions, address concerns, and even assist with your online application if you need extra support.

Absolutely! While Housing NOW primarily focuses on long-term workforce rental housing, we have homeseekers open to both short-term and long-term rental opportunities.