Check out the expanded Housing Directory map, a new State Housing Needs Assessment survey report, and more.
Housing Directory Adds Three New States
RHS is excited to announce that the Housing Hub & Directory is now live in California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, and Washington! This comprehensive tool connects newcomers with the housing support services currently available in their local communities. From affordable housing programs and emergency shelters to legal aid and financial assistance, the Housing Hub makes it easy to browse various service categories and check language options. Plus, you can explore county-specific resources, including nearby public transportation routes!
Looking to bring this vital resource to your city or state? Visit our website to submit new resources and check out our interactive maps. Join us in expanding access to housing support and making a real impact in our communities!
Refugee Housing Solutions is a project of Church World Service (CWS), which received a cooperative agreement through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, CA #90XR0092. The contents of the Housing Hub and Directory are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
NEW: State Housing Needs Assessment Survey Report
Refugee Housing Solutions recently conducted the State Housing Needs Assessment survey to better understand housing challenges faced by ORR-eligible populations. With responses from 31 State Refugee Coordinator team members across 26 states, the survey revealed key insights into housing barriers such as affordability, limited local resources, and housing instability.
These findings will guide RHS' ongoing efforts to enhance access to affordable housing through innovative solutions and partnerships. Read the full survey report and discover how these insights are shaping the future of RHS.
RHS and USCRI Team Up to Offer a Housing Workshop at Every Campus a Refuge’s 2024 Gathering
In late September, RHS’ Senior Program Housing Officer Lynette Pearl and Housing Program Officer Yasmine Noubani led the workshop “Catalyzing ‘Town & Gown’ for Newcomer Housing” in partnership with USCRI Albany Refugee Service’s Manager, Kelley Gourley. The workshop focused on how ECAR Chapters can provide temporary housing for newcomers.
The two-hour workshop, which was offered both Gathering days, engendered conversation and advice about:
- Engaging college and university leadership, faculty, students, and other stakeholders in housing efforts for newcomers.
- Engaging students in supporting refugees both on and off campus.
- Strengthening collaboration among individual higher education institutions, ECAR, resettlement agencies, RHS, and other refugee housing stakeholders -- potentially off-campus housing providers.
Featured Resources
Get Involved
Discover opportunities to join a regional housing community of practice or become a member of the National Housing Working Group. Plus, don't miss out on our upcoming webinars and live trainings.
Upcoming Webinars & Meetings
Building for the Future: Prioritizing Homelessness in Housing Supply Planning
Tuesday, October 8 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET
Hosted by the American Planning Association
Bridges of Hope: Navigating Asylum at the U.S. Border
Wednesday, October 9 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Hosted by Church World Service
Policy News
A Look at Michigan’s End-of-Fiscal-Year Resettlement Push and Rental Subsidy Program for NewcomersResettlement agencies and community members in Michigan worked to welcome a “peak number” of refugees and other newcomers to the state in recent months. Arrivals continued – and increased – even in the face of a worsening housing shortage and affordability crisis. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's Office of Global Michigan tapped into its innovative Newcomer Rental Subsidy program to help meet the needs of increased resettlement statewide, with 468 households approved to receive rent aid since the start of the program. |
Revisiting Data Amid Resurfaced Rhetoric Surrounding Resettlement’s Impact on Housing in the U.S.Earlier this year, Church World Service published an article with the Migration Policy Institute which details some contributing factors to housing affordability and availability nationwide – noting that new Americans have “boosted local economies and home values in the long term. . . without either adding to the housing affordability crisis or pricing people out of highly desirable communities.” |
Visit our News & Updates page for more news related to housing and refugee resettlement.
