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Refugee Homelessness

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The Seattle Times recently ran a story about the high levels of refugee homeless across the United States.  Given the limited federal assistance offered to refugees, this rise in refugee homelessness is not completely surprising.  Buffalo has a large refugee community and it is important that these refugees do not become homeless as they establish themselves in their new home.

A refugee is an individual who was forced to flee his/her country due to a fear of persecution related to “race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.”  Refugees are often forced to live in brutal refugee camps before they come to the United States because they cannot safely return to their country and the country where the camp is located is often unwilling or unable to formally absorb the refugee population.  Large scale movement of refugees across international borders also have a destabilizing effect on the country receiving the refugees, often making the host country less likely to help the refugees.

There are organizations in Buffalo that perform refugee resettlement.  One such organization is the International Institute of Buffalo.  The International Institute finds suitable and affordable apartments for refugees, helps with integration through case management, and provides free English classes among other things.  One key way the International Institute helps stretch the limited federal assistance is through in-kind donations and volunteers.  If you are interested in refugee resettlement, please visit the International Institute’s website and read more about the role you could play.