Transforming a Campus into Newcomer Housing The Brattleboro community, where World Learning is headquartered, was one of the first rural American communities to welcome Afghans. World Learning provided short-term housing to 107 Afghans beginning in January 2022 and is preparing to welcome 70 more this fall. The infrastructure of World Learning’s 200-acre campus, particularly residence…
Download The Walk-Through Checklist After identifying appropriate housing, the newcomer family and their case manager should visit the property to be sure it meets housing safety and functionality standards. Arrive at the housing site with either a smartphone or a camera and notepad to document any preexisting damage to the unit, and download this housing walk–through checklist to…
Seek Out Welcoming Landlords and Property Owners Sometimes the toughest part of the housing process is knowing where to meet landlords and property owners who are interested in renting to newcomers. To get started, here are some ideas adapted from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guide Tips for Working with Landlords: Connect…
Landlords use screening tools such as background checks and credit reports to assist them in finding the right tenant for their property. So why shouldn’t an applicant also use tools to screen a potential landlord for credibility and reliability? Watch more trainings & webinars
In a Changing Landscape, Start by Assessing Local Needs Nationally, the housing and refugee resettlement landscape looks different now than it did a few years ago. But those changes manifest differently in each community. The first step in adaptation is understanding. In 2008, Idaho recognized such shifts and conducted a subsequent needs assessment of local…
Addressing Common Misconceptions About HUD Federal agencies can be intimidating. Jargon and misconceptions can leave many unsure about how to connect to agencies and access resources. For refugees and other newcomers, an unfamiliarity with the U.S. government entities, laws, and procedures can compound confusion and increase hesitancy. Refugee Housing Solutions wants to remove these barriers…
With a current rental vacancy rate of just six percent, housing in the United States is difficult to secure. Several factors—credit requirements, income level, transportation needs, and family size, to name a few—further complicate the housing search for newcomers. Finding housing that fits clients’ needs, eligibility, and the housing standards set by the Bureau of Population,…