ensuring stable housing for refugee & immigrant families- presenters: amina ahmed, someireh...

Presenters: Amina Ahmed, Someireh Amirfaiz, Lisa Vatske

The status of ‘Refugee’ is granted to an individual who "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.“

UNHCR

Globally, the number of displaced individuals rose to 43.4 million, the highest total since the 1990’s.

Almost half of refugees are women and children under the age of 18.

Globally, during the past 20 years, 25 million refugees have returned home.

Developing countries were host to four-fifths of the world’s refugees.

The United States admitted close to 70,000 refugees in 2013 Ranked 27th when comparing number of refugees admitted to

GDP and the overall population

Refugees World – Wide & in the US

Refugees flee torture, war, and violence; forcibly displaced from their homes to live in extreme poverty, starvation, inadequate housing, unsanitary living conditions, and in constant fear for the lives of themselves and family members

Most refugees are initially resettled into refugee camps in a second country, where they continue to face limited job opportunities, extreme poverty, limited resources and inadequate shelter

Refugees often live in camps for prolonged periods of time, some living there for decades, with children who have never known what it’s like to live in their own home

Refugees World-Wide & in the US

Washington State ranks 8th in refugee resettlementFrom 2009-2013 Washington State became home to 9,710 refugees

An additional 1,206 refugees resettled in 2014 (10/2013 - 3/2014)

54% of refugees resettled in King County

20 -30 % of the population in King County are born outside US

Refugee Population in Washington State and King County

Washington State ranks fourth in secondary migration

Refugees who have been resettled in other states and move to Washington State

75% of secondary migrants to Washington State will eventually re-settle in King County

Refugee Population of Washington State and King County

Refugees initially work with Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs) to help them resettle and obtain federal assistance

Initial Federal Assistance: $1,100 per individual in upfront cash assistance Single Adults can receive $360 a month in cash assistance and

food stamps for up to 8 months Families with children under the age of 18 can receive TANF

Family of 3: $562 a month, increasing about $100 per eligible person, with a maximum of $1,320 per month

For most families, payments barely cover rent

Most refugees try to start their own business

Resettlement & Assistance in the US

Refugees spend time in camps waiting to either return home or be granted asylum by a third country where they can permanently settle and re-start their lives

Many come to the US with hopes and dreams for a better future and a strong determination to succeed

Socio-economic conditions and political climate impedes or enhances acculturation and success

Realities in the Adoptive Country

Definition:The arts, beliefs, customs, institutions, and all other products of human work & thought created by a people or group of people at a particular time.

Causes:

Loss of mother-country and shared history Stress of multiple changes. Loss of self-esteem and identity. Unpredictability of new environment. Lack of awareness of culture shock phenomena.

CULTURE SHOCK

Limited English proficiency Lack of Transferable Skills Professional experiences/ degrees not recognized or

Lack of Formal Education Inability to access living –wage jobs Large Families in some populations & stereotypes

based on race Very low income households due to unemployment

or under-employment Trauma-related mental health Issues including high

prevalence of PTSD Unfamiliarity with Western systems and community

resources

Factors Contributing to Homelessness

Level of income Source of income Lifestyle stereotypes Lack of cultural capital – limited knowledge of the

housing system Landlord discrimination Language Lack of affordable housing for large families Mental health status Limited or no knowledge of institutions and culture Limited experience with dominant culture Stigma

Barriers to Housing

Economic Downturn

The economic downturn hits refugees hardest as competition for scarce jobs increases

Limited English proficiency , lack of transferable skills, formal education and inability to re-credential makes it more difficult for refugees to find employment

Agencies across the nation have reported increased difficulty in placing their refugee clients in jobs

Economy & Homelessness

Lack of Affordable HousingParticularly in King County, refugees are challenged by finding affordable housing

With large families, many struggle to pay rent for one bedroom apartments, with entire families sleeping on limited floor space

After initial resettlement assistance runs out, refugees can no longer afford to pay rent or utility bills

Economy & Homelessness

2010 One Night Homeless Count1,152 adults and children were identified as refugees or immigrants - up from 778 in 2009

Although this captures the increase in homelessness among refugees and immigrants, it does not capture the homeless on the streets

Most are invisibly homeless, briefly living off and on with family or community members

Refugees are more likely to be invisibly homeless than mainstream populations due to cultural norms and lack of data

Invisibly Homeless

Lack of Representation at the Systems’ level

Lack of targeted resources due to aggregated or no data and representation

Political climate

Refugees are not accessing shelter services Lack of education about housing resources Fear of splitting up families Unknown service providers with few relationships to

refugee communities

Why Isn’t the System Working for Refugees?

Lack of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services

Refugees have a hard time independently accessing 211 due to linguistic barriers

While there is a shortage of mainstream shelters, there is an even greater shortage of shelters with the capacity to address the linguistic and cultural needs of refugees


Most homeless refugees are invisible, living temporarily with family or community membersThis places them as lower in priority and technically having more “immediate resources” than the visibly homeless population


Homeless refugees are often homeless familiesThere are fewer shelters and temporary housing that can accommodate larger family sizes


Homeless refugees have specialized needs that are not being addressed by mainstream models. Representation from refugee & immigrant community is needed to articulates needs and shape policies and practices that better meet the housing needs of this populations.

To address homelessness in these communities, de-centralized models are needed. Even without homes, community is especially

important to refugees− Addressing the problem should begin from the

ground up, through networks of community members, community-based organizations, shelters, and landlords.

Recommendations

Increase efficiency through inclusion and collaboration

Facilitate and coordinate collaboration between housing and refugee and immigrant service providers to ensure wrap-around services and to maximize limited resources.

Linguistically appropriate resources in places where refugees live and obtain services

Expand language options for 211

Increase and further advocate for rent subsidies from public and private entities to prevent homelessness

Recommendations

Strengthen Connections between Community Agencies and SheltersNeed better communication and service coordinationMainstream shelters do not have the capacity to deliver these services even when refugees are taken in

Refugees need: Culturally and linguistically appropriate services Wrap-around services like job training and ESL Trusted staff members

Recommendations

Create shelter spaces for large familiesRefugees are not accessing shelter services because shelters cannot provide housing for larger family sizes

Refugee families are either put on long wait-lists or will not seek shelter to avoid splitting up families

Shelters are reluctant to house adolescent boys can increase youth homelessness when these families

are split up

Recommendations

Work with landlords

Reduce discrimination by landlords

Create more networks between refugee-serving organizations and landlords

Create better lines of communication between refugee tenants and landlords

Recommendations

Educate mainstream agencies and shelter staffStaff should have training in cultural competency

Staff should be trained to deal with the mental health and health needs that refugees have & make appropriate referrals

PTSD, Culture Shock, Side effects of prolonged malnutrition

Recommendations

Disaggregate and Track Data Increase outreach and resources for invisibly

homeless refugees Need for data on this population

Specific outreach and services are needed to place invisibly homeless in permanent housing

Course correct when needed

Recommendations

Questions used in the focus groups: What is the biggest challenge when it comes to finding affordable housing? What could be better? Too little inventory for affordable housing big enough for entire householdHelp with costs for sewer & garbage fees Shared rental with other family members, others move out, rent too high for remaining person(s)Issues with Landlords / Tenancy

- Need rental history, references for landlord- Landlords/Property Managers hold stereotypes about I&R households

CEHKC Immigrant and Refugee Focus Groups Feedback

What is the biggest challenge when it comes to learning English? What could be better? Offer more English classes on weekends and with childcareNot enough ESL classesDaily household issues prevents focus on learning EnglishHard for older people to learn EnglishDifficult to learn English and work at the same timeTransportation to ESL classes


What is the biggest challenge finding employment? What additional services do you think would improve employment opportunities? Language Lacking necessary skills and certification/ credential Lack of job trainings in own languageProvide refugees with jobs that don’t require English skills and that provide On-The-Job-Training. Explore jobs that are done by teams. Hard to find job without computer literacy.


What is the biggest challenge when it comes to transportation? What could be better?

Not having a car and how to driveFree or subsidized bus ticket or ORCA Card, especially during rain and snow seasonTransportation assistance, for graveyard shifts or to attend ESL classesMore ESL to learn how to ride the busJobs and services closer to home.


ensuring stable housing for refugee & immigrant families- presenters: amina ahmed, someireh...

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