Access guidance on how to secure temporary and permanent housing for refugees.
This resource provides best practices to guide private sponsor groups as they find and secure housing for refugees. Use these tips to identify and secure potential temporary, short-term, or permanent housing options.
The uncertain arrival date for the refugee or family you are sponsoring creates a need for temporary housing.
Potential temporary or short-term housing options include:
- Hotels
- Airbnb.com
- A separate living space attached to a private home
General Guidelines
Get to know your local housing market! It is important to find housing that a refugee or family can afford, even after you are no longer supporting them. Housing should be clean, safe, and affordable, preferably near shopping, employment, and schools, and accessible to public transportation. Research affordable apartment buildings and ask about availability, unit sizes, and lease agreement details.
Identify Potential Housing
Use Online Search tools:
- Zillow
- Apartments.com
- Craigslist
Use your Networks:
- Seek potential housing through your own contacts. Create a one-page overview of your search criteria and circulate to your networks.
Consult with a Real Estate Professional
- Real Estate professionals know their local housing markets well. Typically, there is no fee for this service to the renter.
Due to the national housing crisis, securing affordable housing can be competitive. Here are a few steps you can take to prepare:
• Educate the landlord on the opportunity to welcome a refugee or family.
• Ensure that they understand your role as sponsor and support you are providing to the refugee(s).
• Questions for landlords should include confirming:
• Average monthly rent
• Maximum occupancy of the housing
• Cost of security deposit and associated utilities
• Terms for return of security deposit
• Co-signer requirements (if applicable)
• When/if co-signer can be removed from lease
• Process for early termination of lease, and associated penalties
• Possibility of shorter-term lease or month-to-month option
