Innovative Solutions

The present challenges to accessing affordable housing in the United States spur opportunities for innovation in the ways we create, allocate, and repurpose housing.

One of Refugee Housing Solutions’ initiatives centers on sharing innovation in housing practices. In 2023, RHS began collecting submissions of its completed Housing Best Practices Toolkit Template from community stakeholders (including faith groups, churches, ethnic-/community-based organizations, and educational institutions) and refugee resettlement agencies.

These toolkits provide an overview of innovative projects embarked upon by these stakeholders to harness new and imaginative ideas for facing housing challenges. Each toolkit details project set-up, operations, key successes, and recommendations that others may implement or adapt to help create more affordable, dignified housing for newcomers.

Housing Best Practice Toolkits

View and download by clicking below.

TRiO Plus Housing Best Practices Toolkit

This submission from the Oakland Unified School District's TRiO Plus project outlines the project's operations, successes, and recommendations.

The Welcome Co-op Housing Best Practices Toolkit

This submission from the Welcome Co-op in Atlanta, GA outlines the organization's structure, operations, successes, and recommendations.

Rising Village Foundation Housing Best Practices Toolkit

This submission from the Rising Village Foundation in Tulsa, OK outlines its project's operations, successes, and recommendations.

Browse all submitted toolkits

Do you have a promising practice in housing? Let us know!

Innovators can inspire resettlement stakeholders to help address the U.S. housing shortage.

Download the template

Other Best Practices Toolkits by RHS & Partners

Best Practices for Hotel Partnerships to House Refugees and Other Newcomers

This toolkit outlines best practices for building and maintaining hotel partnerships for using hotels to house refugees and other newcomers.

Best Practices for Resettlement Agencies Forming Local Government Partnerships to House Newcomers

This document explores local government partnerships with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to help house and empower recently arrived newcomers and assist them in their adjustment to life in the US. The IRC then suggests how other resettlement agencies might form similar partnerships.

Leveraging College and University Housing for Newcomer Welcoming

In the face of the U.S. housing crisis, resettlement practitioners must embrace creative solutions to housing newcomers. One such solution involves partnering with institutions of higher education to meet newcomer temporary or long-term housing needs.

Using Temporary Housing for Refugee Resettlement

The dynamics of the U.S. rental housing market have made identifying permanent housing options for newcomers difficult, resulting in longer stays in temporary housing. This resource outlines best practices for identifying, developing, and using temporary housing in resettlement.

See all best practices toolkits