We all know it’s a terrible housing market. But did you know that the market is so rough it’s forcing many homeowners to dealy their retirements?

Reporter Jennifer Levitz, for the Wall Street Journal’s online edition, wrote a story earlier this week exploring this trend. According to the story, the number of older residents in the work force is steadily increasing. You can read the complete story here.

Apparently, as their homes lose value, older residents feel less comfortable retiring, even if they don’t plan on selling their homes.

Here’s even more evidence that this housing slump is more serious than many of the other downturns the industry has experienced. This one is having serious, long-term consequences. Let’s hope we’ve learned our lessons: It’s never good to have  housing prices inflate as quickly — some would say as artificially, too – as they did during the housing boom. The reason? It makes it that much more painful when prices return to a more realistic level.

Finding the right roommate is no easy task. You know this if you’ve ever had to suffer through a roomie who leaves the sink cluttered with dirty dishes or likes blaring rock music at 2 in the morning.

If you’re a senior citizen in New York City, though, you have at least one tool to help you choose the right roommate: the Home Sharing program run by the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens.

The program, which I read about in this New York Times story written by Joyce Cohen, acts as an intergenerational roomate service that matches people with an extra bedroom in their house with guests who need an affordable place to live.

Under the program either the host or guest has to be 60 or over. Guests are required to provide a monthly contribution toward household expenses, and usually performs some set of chores around the residence.

I have to say, this is a wonderful idea. Some people like to live alone, but others hate it. This service helps homeowners find a pre-screened roommate. It connects two people previously living alone.

The days can be long when you’re on your own. Companionshp is an amazing thing. Congratulations to the New York Foundation for senior citizens for crafting such a unique program.