Multiply your impact with Giving Week matching by Marriott, learn about landlord incentives, and more.
Giving Week is Happening NOW! Until December 10, donate your Marriott Bonvoy points and multiply them by 5x for temporary accommodation for refugees.
Earlier this year RHS joined an exciting collaboration with Marriott International to support national refugee resettlement agencies as they provide immediate, short-term accommodation to newcomers when the first arrive in the U.S.
Marriott’s LoveTravels program allows people to donate their Bonvoy points to a number of different organizations, including RHS. Points donated will be converted into cash donations to participating resettlement agencies to help cover temporary accommodation expenses for refugees.
In celebration of Giving Week (December 3-10, 2024), Marriott will provide a 5x point match for all donations made to RHS through the LoveTravels program. If you would like to contribute to this meaningful collaboration this holiday season, points can be donated by clicking the button below:
NEW: Survey Report on Incentivizing Landlords to Rent to Refugees
Earlier this year, RHS conducted an anonymous email survey of landlords to gather insights into the factors that influence their review of rental applications from potential tenants. The survey, detailed in a new report published this week, also sought to discover what incentives could help landlords appreciate how choosing refugee tenants can positively affect their business operations.
Housing Resource Map Expands to Kentucky
RHS is pleased to share that the Housing Directory — a centralized platform connecting individuals with locally available housing services and support—has now expanded to Louisville, Kentucky, and its surrounding communities. This interactive map provides easy access to a range of housing services, including affordable housing options, rental assistance, tenant legal support, and community-based programs, all designed to meet local needs. Whether you are a refugee, other newcomer to the U.S., or an advocate, the Directory can help you find the support you need. Coming soon: Boise, Idaho!
Would you like to see the Housing Directory for your community or have housing resources to share? Submit them here!
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.
Featured Resources
Help Shape Housing Support for Newcomers
RHS needs your input! As we move into a new presidential administration, now is the time to share important housing data to ensure the challenges and trends impacting refugees and other newcomers supported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement are on the radar. RHS’s Annual Housing Needs Assessment Survey is your opportunity to contribute insights that will help us track key housing metrics and shape programs, resources, and policies moving forward. The 10-minute survey should be completed by one staff member per office — ideally the person most familiar with your housing efforts. Let’s work together to build a stronger future for newcomer housing!
Don’t miss the chance to ensure your community’s needs are heard!
Get support with the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
We are now offering technical assistance office hours focused on supporting you in learning about and applying for LIHEAP. Help prepare the newcomers you serve for the winter months with this energy-saving program.
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
Join our January Community of Practice (CoP) sessions focused on HUD Housing Counseling! Housing counseling offers independent, expert advice tailored to individuals' needs, helping them overcome housing barriers and achieve their housing goals, whether through rental or homeownership counseling. This session will dive into the critical role housing counseling can play in promoting housing stability for newcomers and refugees.
Policy News
Historic but Neglected Syracuse Property to be Revamped as Housing for Newly Arrived RefugeesA local resettlement agency in New York recently purchased a 7,000-square-foot house near its office to be refurbished and transformed into transitional housing for newly arriving refugees. The agency has been working towards its own housing for eight years as housing shortages have added extra challenges to resettlement in the area. The property will be divided into accessible apartments designed for stays ranging from four-week temporary housing to 18-month rental contracts. |
Looking at the Potential Policy Implications of Announced HUD Secretary PickFormer Texas state Representative Scott Turner was chosen by President-elect Trump to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the incoming administration. Turner previously led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term to “find ways to better use public funds to revitalize urban and economically distressed communities.” Now, housing advocates and analysts, among others, are weighing whether possible changes to HUD in a second Trump administration could include implementation of Project 2025, including proposals written by former Trump HUD Secretary Ben Carson. Proposed measures include banning those in “mixed status” households from receiving federal housing aid. |
Visit our News & Updates page for more news related to housing and refugee resettlement.
