Shared Housing Network Holds First Meeting in Tyler
The East Texas Shared Housing Network gathered local advocates, providers and real estate professionals to address affordable housing shortages.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Apartments
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The East Texas Shared Housing Network held its inaugural meeting Wednesday at Oak Street Health in Tyler, drawing about 20 to 25 attendees from across the region. The group was organized by JDE Housing Solutions CEO Jessilyn Edwards to address the shortage of affordable housing in East Texas.
Why it matters
Local rents are priced too high for many low-income and middle-income residents to afford, and the network aims to bring together community advocates, social workers, health care providers and real estate professionals to respond. The effort reflects growing interest in shared housing as an alternative to traditional rentals in the region.
JDE Housing Solutions, founded in 2024, operates owned and leased single-family homes and duplexes averaging roughly 2,400 square feet, with shared rooms housing two to three residents. The network's attendance of 20 to 25 people at its first meeting is not yet tied to any measured housing outcomes.
The players
JDE Housing Solutions
A for-profit housing provider founded in 2024 that launched a shared housing model in East Texas in February 2026.
Jessilyn Edwards
The CEO of JDE Housing Solutions who organized the inaugural meeting of the East Texas Shared Housing Network.
Oak Street Health
A health care provider whose Tyler, Texas location hosted the network's inaugural meeting.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The state agency whose funding supports placements of reentry individuals in JDE Housing Solutions residences.
The details
The network brings together local community advocates, social workers, health care providers and real estate professionals. JDE Housing Solutions, which launched its shared housing model in February, offers private rooms as well as shared rooms and coordinates transportation, primary medical care, food assistance, government-supported cell phones and identification assistance.
Timeline
February 2026: JDE Housing Solutions launches its shared housing model.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Inaugural East Texas Shared Housing Network meeting is held in Tyler.
First Wednesday of each month: The network plans to meet on a recurring basis.
October 2027: The network is working toward hosting an inaugural regional housing summit.
Market Landscape
The shared housing model extends the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's funded reentry placements into a broader regional coalition of providers and advocates. Its formation addresses a rental market where local prices remain out of reach for many low-income and middle-income residents.
Residents seeking housing in East Texas may find shared rooms and private rooms through JDE Housing Solutions, which coordinates transportation, medical care, food assistance and identification help. Renters who cannot meet standard income requirements of two to three times monthly rent could consider these arrangements.
The takeaway
Shared housing can offer a practical path to stable housing for people priced out of conventional rentals, and residents interested in these options can attend the network's monthly meetings. Coordinated services such as transportation and medical care may make these placements more workable for individuals in need.
What happens next
The network plans to meet on the first Wednesday of each month and is working toward an inaugural regional housing summit in October 2027.
Further reading
For more on rental options in the area, see Apartments coverage for Tyler.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kltv.
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