Refugee Housing Solutions

Making Housing Accessible: Join the RHS Housing Directory Project! Picture a newcomer trying to navigate the housing search for their first time without their case manager or sponsor, with little guidance and no connections. This is the reality for so many in our community, and we’re on a mission to change it.  When RHS staff heard about the need for a centralized housing resource, we envisioned a tool that could connect newcomers with everything from tenant rights support to emergency housing assistance. We wanted a Directory that could be mapped, shared, and grown by the people who understand local housing best—you! The RHS Housing Directory already maps housing services in California, Michigan, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with new locations being added every month. But we can’t do it alone! Are you working in resettlement or housing? Here’s how you can get involved: 🌎 Help expand our map! Join us in adding new states and resource categories by sharing what’s needed in your area. 🏡 Host a Housing Directory introduction session for resettlement professionals or volunteers in your network, and we’ll provide you with all the tools and information you need.  🔑 Volunteer as a Directory advocate! Represent RHS at a local housing or resettlement event, helping spread awareness and gathering feedback to make the Directory even better. 💻 Suggest new features or tools. Your feedback can help us improve how the Directory supports newcomers across the U.S. Want to learn more? Our team would love to join your next meeting or conference to discuss this initiative and how to get involved.  Let’s build a future where newcomers feel supported and connected from the moment they arrive. Together, we can make housing more accessible across the U.S.! #HousingSupport #NewcomerResettlement #CommunityImpact #RHSDirectory Visit the Housing Directory here: https://lnkd.in/e7BGTtVx 

Whitestone & Co., LLC is a mission-driven real estate investment firm that offers single-family homes at accessible prices in key U.S. communities.    🏠In June 2024, Whitestone LLC and RHS formed a partnership rooted in a shared commitment: to help ensure that every neighbor has access to safe, affordable housing.     Through this collaboration, RHS and Whitestone work together to connect newcomers and their support agencies with Whitestone’s local management teams, expanding access to housing options that are both professionally managed and mission minded. Resettlement agencies in St. Louis, MO, Kansas City, MO, Memphis, TN, and Columbus, OH are encouraged to connect with RHS to learn more about available units in your area!    👇Learn more about the impactful work of Whitestone at the link below: https://lnkd.in/eEUfm7C2  

💡As newcomers navigate daily life in the U.S., many will face unfamiliar weather and climates and, as such, may not know how seasonal changes affect their health and, in a completely different way, their finances. As the winter season draws near, it is paramount to prioritize the safety of the families and individuals we serve by introducing them to resources that can help them to save on winter home heating costs.   💲The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal government program designed to provide financial support to low-income households. In the winter as well as in the summer, LIHEAP helps households pay energy bills so everyone can stay warm in winter and cool in summer, thus reducing the risk of health and safety issues related to extreme temperatures, which are occurring more frequents in recent years than in the past. In some states, the LIHEAP open enrollment period for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities is in October and for the general population in November. 📅RHS is now offering special one-on-one LIHEAP-dedicated office hours from 9am-12pm ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. During these hours, our team will answer all callers’ LIHEAP questions and give advice on enrollment. 👇Book a meeting now at the link below: https://lnkd.in/eeP9FSrT  

Mercy Housing is an affordable housing organization working to eliminate homelessness and housing insecurity. A resource from Mercy Housing, “Welcome to Your New Home,” provides newcomers with an illustrated home orientation guide designed to build understanding in how to maintain apartments, use appliances, ensure safety and security, be a good neighbor, and more. This valuable resource is available in 15 languages, download for free at the link below: https://lnkd.in/ecqsjGDg  

Building Housing Resources, One Map at a Time! Imagine landing in a new country, searching for safe and affordable housing with limited support. For many newcomers, this is a reality—and it’s why RHS created the Housing Directory. 🏠 A resettlement agency recently emphasized how essential reliable housing resources are in helping newcomers access the support they need to find housing independently—whether they were seeking housing support in California or legal aid in Texas. This inspired us to expand the Directory into a central, nationwide resource to support newcomers in building stable, welcoming lives. The RHS Housing Directory now includes detailed maps in California, Michigan, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Texas, with new states being added regularly. These maps highlight local services such as rental assistance programs, community centers, and legal aid for housing—each reviewed for quality by RHS staff. Are you in resettlement or housing support? Would you like to help us expand the reach of this valuable tool? You can contribute by:  📝 If you know of a housing program that could assist newcomers, submit it to the RHS Housing Directory!  🚀 Help us reach further! Promote the Directory within your network to help ensure these valuable resources reach newcomers and the people supporting them.  👥 Bring us to your next event! RHS staff are available to present the Directory and discuss ways to get involved. Let’s work together to expand housing support! Together we can empower resettlement work and build stronger, more connected communities.  #HousingDirectory #CommunitySupport #ResettlementResources #HousingAccess #HousingMap Visit the Housing Directory here: https://lnkd.in/e7BGTtVx  

What should resettlement stakeholders know about U.S. Fair Housing law as it pertains to newcomers? A video from RHS provides a comprehensive overview of the Fair Housing Act and offers best practices for navigating the housing process in this context. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/ecUHdahH  

Help newcomers secure affordable short-term housing by donating your Marriott Bonvoy points! A collaboration between RHS and Marriott International allows these points to be converted to cash donations distributed among all 10 national refugee resettlement agencies to support newcomer housing needs. Learn more and donate your points today at the link below: https://lnkd.in/eXAa2WdR  

Individuals seeking housing for refugees and newcomers should be equipped with effective strategies to engage housing providers. A resource from RHS aims to strengthen relationships between housing providers and refugee-serving organizations by providing guidance on engaging with landlords by approaching concerns with compassion and providing clear information. Read now: https://lnkd.in/eEhTuWXb  

Rental applications often require documents that newcomers may not have, such as credit reports, income tax returns, or previous rental histories.   A guide from RHS provides an overview of the typical documents required by landlords or property managers and highlights which documents newcomers might use as substitutes. Download this free resource at the link below: https://lnkd.in/eBXpKsaP   

If you are a resettlement staff member, have you ever had questions about which federally affordable housing and assistance programs a newcomer may qualify for? A factsheet produced by the Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition in partnership with the National Low Income Housing Coalition provides an overview of which immigrant populations are eligible for federal housing and homelessness, disaster, energy, and water assistance programs, and whether there are any potential implications for public charge determinations. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gJvnt8Ya