Homes are needed for refugees, say Catholic Charities and Church World Service
%20(2).jpg "A newly arrived refugee family walks to the home that Church World Services helped set up for them through donations from the public.")
Calling all South Florida landlords: Resettlement agencies need your help, as they are grappling with the realities of resettling families in one of the country’s hottest real estate markets.
While the agencies and nonprofits are working with companies such as Airbnb and hotel chains to find affordable housing for newly arrived immigrants, many are asking landlords to offer their properties to refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants.
“We need landlords to step up,” said Renata Ruiz, marketing fundraising specialist for Church World Service, a 75-year-old faith-based organization that works to resettle people hit by natural disasters and civil strife. “They will get paid; they will get their rent paid because we are the ones who facilitate that.”
South Florida is one of the most competitive housing markets in the country, and the rising costs can be a deterrent for some newly arrived immigrants, according to Peter Routsis-Arroyo, CEO for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami.
High cost of housing in South Florida is a problem
“Housing would be a huge issue for anyone coming to Miami,” said Routsis-Arroyo.
To further complicate the matter, a new wave of refugees from Afghanistan are expected to arrive in South Florida within the next few weeks as humanitarian paroles.
This special designation allows for lawful presence in the United States. It also limits the time individuals and families have access to the services provided by resettlement agencies, which makes the need for housing even more critical.
“Basically, for the first 90 days we are with them getting them set up. We help them with jobs, and if they have children, we find day care. We help them with everything they need to get self-sufficient in 90 days,” Ruiz said.
Aside from rental space, organizations like Church World Services are also asking for monetary donations to go toward rent, gift cards, furniture and other basic needs.
Ruiz said helping newly arrived families is important, and is quick to point out the spirit that South Florida was built upon.
“Families are leaving their countries and everything they know for safety,” Ruiz said.
How to help
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami: 305-795-0077; https://www.ccadm.org/
Church World Services: https://cwsglobal.org/