Help with Housing

Our Housing Team is always on the lookout for short- and long-term housing for the refugees we welcome and resettle into Lane County.  

Since it’s not feasible to rent an apartment before refugees arrive, the CCS Refugee & Immigrant
Services Program (RISP) has created a Hosting Program to provide a warm, personalized introduction and welcome to Eugene/Springfield. Housing a refugee (individual or family) for a short period gives RISP’s Housing Navigator time to find long-term housing.

Hosts have opened their homes, providing a spare room, separate apartments, AirBnBs and in one
cases, an entire house. Their generosity has been inspiring. The experiences have been mutually
satisfying. The hosting period can last for up to two months, though some have lasted longer. In one situation, a temporary room turned into long-term housing.

RISP and the Housing Team set up meetings before refugees arrive, to understand the physical space and to clarify the host’s expectations and guidelines. Following arrival, we all meet with a case manager, interpreter and Housing Team to explain the guidelines. A contract is created that includes RISP agreeing to pay for utilities (on a sliding scale) and any other specific requests or details. Refugees placed with hosts are served by a larger support network, which includes a case manager, volunteer Advocates, and the Housing Team.

If you would like to learn more about the Hosting Program please email RISP Housing Navigator Maurice Akatsa, makatsa@ccslc.org