Kick off 2024 with new opportunities to learn, connect, and engage with RHS!
Happy New Year from Refugee Housing Solutions
Ring in 2024 with new and ongoing opportunities to learn and connect with partners about innovative housing solutions for refugees and newcomers.
This edition of the RHS newsletter connects readers to a number of ways to benefit from engaging with RHS stakeholders.
- Community of Practice for State Refugee Coordinators: Refugee Housing Solutions partners with Switchboard to host a virtual Community of Practice for State Refugee Coordinators (SRCs). The CoP connects state-level focal points in the nationwide refugee housing space. At each meeting, the RHS team engages SRCs and housing-related subject matter experts on current barriers and opportunities for newly arriving refugees in accessing safe, affordable, and long-term housing. If your organization serves refugees or others who are eligible for ORR services, apply for this CoP today This monthly meeting is hosted virtually on the third Wednesday of every month from 1-2 p.m. ET.
- Supporting Higher Education in Refugee Resettlement (SHERR) Innovation Incentive Grants Program: World Learning has announced the SHERR Innovation Incentive Grants Program, which is designed "to support promising approaches to engagement in refugee resettlement on the part of higher education institutions." Learn more and submit an application by January 21.
- Request one-on-one technical assistance: Housing providers, resettlement staff, sponsors, volunteers, refugees, and other newcomers can request a one-on-one technical assistance session with a member of RHS staff anytime online or by emailing ta@refugeehousing.org.
- Suggest a webinar or training topic: We welcome your suggestions for training topics which will best serve your needs. You may email your suggestions to info@refugeehousing.org.
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
Midwest Housing Community of Practice
Wednesday, January 10 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Regional housing community of practice meetings in January will host colleagues from Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) to learn about their refugee housing successes since their 2015 founding and to hear about ways all resettlement agency housing staff can partner with higher education institutions to find creative ways to house newcomers, especially short-term. If you cannot join the day your region is meeting, feel welcome to join another region’s meeting!
Southwest Housing Community of Practice
Wednesday, January 17 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Regional housing community of practice meetings in January will host colleagues from Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) to learn about their refugee housing successes since their 2015 founding and to hear about ways all resettlement agency housing staff can partner with higher education institutions to find creative ways to house newcomers, especially short-term. If you cannot join the day your region is meeting, feel welcome to join another region’s meeting!
Lunch and Learn: Housing Search Tips for Refugee Newcomers
Monday, January 22 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
In this webinar hosted by Refugee Welcome Collective, RHS will give expert advice for refugee newcomers, community sponsors, volunteers, and resettlement office staff on how to search for safe, sanitary, affordable housing in a challenging housing market. Guidance will focus on how to watch out for predatory leases, do a proper inspection prior to signing a lease, and tenants’ rights when signing a lease.
Housing 101: How to Screen and Vet a Potential Housing Provider
Tuesday, January 23 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Landlords use screening tools to assist them in selecting the right tenant, so why shouldn't an applicant? This webinar will teach participants how to screen and vet potential landlords to prevent rental fraud and predatory leases.
Housing 101: How to Conduct a Basic Property Inspection Before Signing a Lease
Monday, January 29 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Too often, applicants fail to thoroughly inspect a unit before signing the lease. Unfortunately, this misstep can have financial and safety consequences, so the applicant or housing specialist should thoroughly inspect the space before signing a lease. In this webinar, participants will learn how to do basic interior and exterior inspections.
Northeast Housing Community of Practice
Wednesday, January 24 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Regional housing community of practice meetings in January will host colleagues from Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) to learn about their refugee housing successes since their 2015 founding and to hear about ways all resettlement agency housing staff can partner with higher education institutions to find creative ways to house newcomers, especially short-term. If you cannot join the day your region is meeting, feel welcome to join another region’s meeting!
West Housing Community of Practice
Wednesday, January 31 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
Regional housing community of practice meetings in January will host colleagues from Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) to learn about their refugee housing successes since their 2015 founding and to hear about ways all resettlement agency housing staff can partner with higher education institutions to find creative ways to house newcomers, especially short-term. If you cannot join the day your region is meeting, feel welcome to join another region’s meeting!
Policy News
Majority of Homes Sold in 2023 Not Affordable for "Typical U.S. Households"Higher mortgage rates and a continuing housing shortage led to less and less affordability in 2023, according to Redfin. New construction and falling inflation rates should mean good news going forward, but this article from NPR breaks down the state of home sale affordability as tracked in 2023. |
Temporary Housing for Migrants Found in Denver MotelUsing hotels to house newcomers is a practice RHS has explored in a recent best practices toolkit, and a news story shares an example of the Western Motor Inn in Denver as temporary housing for hundreds of arriving migrants. The owner is also looking to invest in a property to house newcomers longer-term after they leave the motel. |
