JoeyCo: Helping Address Riverside’s Housing Crisis
Riverside, California- the heart of the Inland Empire, the birthplace of world-renowned California citrus industry, and the home of UC-Riverside. This dynamic city also faces the same housing and caregiving challenges that the rest of the state also currently experiences. JoeyCo, a new startup, is launching here to help unlock more live-work opportunities for renters and owners alike.
A Snapshot of the Riverside Rental Market
As of July 2026, the average rent in Riverside, CA is $2,195 per month. At 9% higher than the national average rent price, affording housing in Riverside can be a challenge, especially for students, veterans, and other young people. When you rent an apartment in Riverside, you can expect to pay about $1,644 per month for a studio, $1,785 for a one-bedroom apartment, and around $2,234 for a two-bedroom apartment. If you opt for a three-bedroom rental, you could pay $3,191 or more!
Due to high demand, the Riverside market is considered to be very landlord-friendly, with vacancy rates hovering around 4%.
For college students, veterans, and other populations seeking housing at a reasonable price, these rates and availability can spell trouble. We consistently hear from local renters that high occupancy rates mean limited options and the fierce competition can leave many in a tight spot.
JoeyCo: A Win-Win Solution
This is where you, as a potential JoeyCo Host, can make a real difference: By opening your home to a student or veteran "Joey," you're not just providing affordable housing – you're creating an opportunity to relieve young people of excessive housing costs.
Here's how it works:
You offer a private room in your home at a rate that makes sense to you (often below these staggering market prices)
Your student Joey earns money by providing you assistance around the house, effectively lowering their rent
You and the Joey benefit from friendship and renewed intergenerational perspective
For example, if you're in central Riverside, where the average rent for a one bedroom apartment is $1,785/month, you might offer a room to a Joey for $1,000. You could then use that rent to afford almost 40 hours of Joey help a month at $20/hour. The Joey can effectively cover their rent while gaining valuable life experience.
More Than Just a Room
By becoming a JoeyCo Host, you're not just offering a bedroom – you're also providing:
A stable living environment close to campus
An affordable housing option in a tough market
An opportunity for a student to build life skills
The chance to build a mutually beneficial relationship that enriches both lives
One Simple Act
Every room opened to a Joey is one more local veteran or student who can pursue their education or start a new life without dealing with the typical stress of San Diego’s competitive housing market. By exploring creative solutions to our housing crisis, you can have profound effects on a young person's future and the potential for our region.
Are You Ready to Make a Difference?
If you have a spare room and a willingness to support the next generation, we'd love to hear from you. Contact JoeyCo today for a free consultation on how you can become a Host and make a real difference in a student's life.
By working together and thinking about the housing crisis in new ways, we can turn Riverside’s housing challenges into an opportunity for connection, growth, and community support. Join the JoeyCo family and be part of the solution today!
