Category: Volunteers/Community Members

Innovative Housing Spotlight: Partnering with a College Campus to Welcome Afghan Families

by on April 13, 2023

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…

Housing Selection 101

Housing Selection 101

by on April 13, 2023

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…

Weatherization

Weatherization

by on April 11, 2023

While property weatherization is usually associated with winter and individual houses, weatherization is an energy-efficient process that apartment dwellers can also do to control energy use in a rental property, whether it is a house or an apartment. Resources Birdog Lighting LED Lighting Rebates  Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)  Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) …

It Takes a Village: Learning from Statewide Housing Partnerships in Idaho

by on April 11, 2023

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…

Demystifying the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Newcomers

Demystifying the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Newcomers

by on April 10, 2023

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…