Open for this month's community of practice info and updates on the RHS project.
Refugee Housing Solutions Broadens Scope with ORR Partnership
On behalf of all national resettlement agencies, local resettlement offices and affiliates, and other newcomer service providers, Refugee Housing Solutions (RHS) has formalized its partnership with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide enhanced refugee housing solutions by increasing the capacity of RHS to serve more newcomers who are eligible for ORR services. The new initiative will create a resource directory of local resources for housing, increase access to housing resources for newcomers who are eligible for ORR support, expand innovative and scalable solutions through capacity building and key partnerships, address challenges to identifying and securing safe, affordable housing options, and share a Housing Hub and Housing Directory of resources for ORR-eligible newcomers and community sponsors.
Housing Highlight
A recent feature published in America Magazine highlighted a closed rectory in Pittsburgh that was converted into a halfway house for refugees. The story demonstrates the potential for closed churches and other abandoned facilities to be repurposed as spaces to welcome newcomers.
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
Lunch and Learn: Housing Tips for Refugee Newcomers - Fair Housing
Monday, May 6 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
In this session hosted by Refugee Welcome Collective, RHS will give expert advice for refugee newcomers, community sponsors, volunteers, and resettlement office staff on how to conduct a proper pre-lease inspection. Guidance will focus on how to avoid the risk of signing a lease for a unit that cannot pass an inspection.
Midwest Regional Housing Community of Practice Meeting
Wednesday, May 8 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
As part of our regional housing Community of Practices (CoPs) focus on local partners’ success, our May gatherings will be led by Homes Not Borders (HNB), whose staff will share the history and growth of HNB success in welcoming and helping newcomers of many backgrounds settle into new homes in the Washington, DC area. Each CoP meeting will start with HNB's presentation of their mission and work, with plenty of time for your questions, discussion, and for sharing other ideas for maximizing the use of specialized partners to set up newcomers’ homes.
Southwest Regional Housing Community of Practice Meeting
Wednesday, May 15 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
As part of our regional housing Community of Practices (CoPs) focus on local partners’ success, our May gatherings will be led by Homes Not Borders (HNB), whose staff will share the history and growth of HNB success in welcoming and helping newcomers of many backgrounds settle into new homes in the Washington, DC area. Each CoP meeting will start with HNB's presentation of their mission and work, with plenty of time for your questions, discussion, and for sharing other ideas for maximizing the use of specialized partners to set up newcomers’ homes.
3-Day Virtual Certificate Program: Advancing the Role of Community Stakeholders in Refugee Integration
Wednesday, May 15 - Friday, May 17
This certificate opportunity from Guilford College's Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR) "will engage participants in learning about forced displacement and refugee resettlement, and the methods by which community members can support and participate in refugee integration efforts while centering the agency and dignity of refugees as co-designers of those methods."
Northeast Regional Housing Community of Practice Meeting
Wednesday, May 22 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
As part of our regional housing Community of Practices (CoPs) focus on local partners’ success, our May gatherings will be led by Homes Not Borders (HNB), whose staff will share the history and growth of HNB success in welcoming and helping newcomers of many backgrounds settle into new homes in the Washington, DC area. Each CoP meeting will start with HNB's presentation of their mission and work, with plenty of time for your questions, discussion, and for sharing other ideas for maximizing the use of specialized partners to set up newcomers’ homes.
West Regional Housing Community of Practice Meeting
Wednesday, May 29 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
As part of our regional housing Community of Practices (CoPs) focus on local partners’ success, our May gatherings will be led by Homes Not Borders (HNB), whose staff will share the history and growth of HNB success in welcoming and helping newcomers of many backgrounds settle into new homes in the Washington, DC area. Each CoP meeting will start with HNB's presentation of their mission and work, with plenty of time for your questions, discussion, and for sharing other ideas for maximizing the use of specialized partners to set up newcomers’ homes.
Policy News
Congressional Subcommittee Hearings Held on Proposed Housing Budget Items
This week, the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Appropriations’ THUD Subcommittee held hearings to discuss HUD-related items in President Biden’s budget request for fiscal year 2025.
The proposed budget includes several new initiatives to target housing costs and availability, including the expansion of existing programs such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) while introducing new initiatives like a Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit and a $20 billion Innovation Fund for Housing Expansion.
Visit our News & Updates page for more news related to housing and refugee resettlement.
