[Perhaps related to How can I help a homeless person?] How can I house a refugee? Lots of news about refugees. My wife mentioned that she had a currently unoccupied rental property. So we mused, 2%serious, 98% hypothetical, how does one get a refugee?
I went to Google and the first dozen refugee assistance programs I found only wanted my money. I saw no interest in anything else.
This is kind of a new idea. Most countries (let alone states or cities) don’t have a mechanism in place for matching accommodation to those in need.
This German website matches what you’re looking for, but they’re not currently operating in the US. If you follow the links you can email their staff to indicate your interest.
Another way to help could be signing up to be a foster parent. Unaccompanied child refugees are often bundled into the foster system. Remember, foster parents care for all kinds of children, including teenagers, teen parents, etc.
The problem, janeslogin, is first getting a refugee into the United States. Often refugees do not have passports (many never had one to begin with, and it’s hard to get one if the bastards running/occupying/destroying your country will regard the request for one as treason punishable by death). Typically a refugee needs to get that status certified by someone like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (well, people working for that official). But the US doesn’t just allow refugees to board planes for America. On my no. There are limits on the number of refugees it will admit, and it usually takes Congressional action to alter those limits, no matter how desperate the situation. Then the refugee needs to apply for a travel document, and get inspected and admitted at a US port of entry. This process takes at least months and often years.
Seriously, if you want to do something right now, get your rental property rented, and send the profits to the International Rescue Committee. The people who need your help are in Hungary, Austria, Germany. You can’t fly over there and buy a nice family plane tickets and bring them home. It doesn’t work like that. Your heart’s in the right place, though, and I commend you for that!
But churches USED to get refugees in the 70’s. I remember my parents and older brothers talking about the neighbors hosting Laotians and Vietnamese. How did that work?
It’s not impossible. Just tedious. See: Refugees | USCIS
for information about the process. The page is written for refugees themselves, but it’s easier if there’s someone on the inside pulling as well as someone on the outside pushing.
If you just want to help a refugee, contact your local IRC office. My understanding is that they often coordinate volunteers for cultural acclimatization, tutoring and general mentoring for refugee families. I have a few friend who have done this, and they have developed strong bonds with the families they work with. It seems very rewarding for both sides.
I’m not sure that housing is a specific need, but you may be able to work with a church to identify a family that needs it.
But these are unlikely to be Syrian refugees. As mentioned, the gears grind slowly, and it’s a long process for a refugee to be formally resettled in the United States. It can take years. Barring some major new policy changes, we aren’t going to be fast responders in the current crisis.
Organizations ask for money because money gives the the greatest opportunity to reach the people who need help and provide exactly what they need.
Things have changed a lot in the 70s, particularly when it comes to national security.