Our belief: When diverse interest groups work in good faith on common goals, we can do big things.
Idaho’s extreme housing shortage means we need to explore options in each region—for ourselves, our friends and our clients.
Click the links below to download and view information on housing and community resources and service providers.
(Languages below recommended by Boise’s English Language Center as high-frequency for refugees resettling in Idaho as of 2023)
Courtesy of Gary Hanes, founding member of the Idaho Fair Housing Forum and Managing Member of Gary E. Hanes & Associates, LLC
“HUD has recently issued information bearing on the Language Access Plan (LAP) and the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan (AFHMP) and how they relate to one another. In the attachment below, we explore this a little further in hopes that it will help assisted housing providers navigate between these two complementary plans and meet the language access obligations of both.”
LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN AND THE AFFIRMATIVE FAIR HOUSING MARKETING PLAN
One of the many challenges refugees and their sponsoring agencies face is securing decent, safe and affordable housing near public transportation and employment. For some, western housing construction, layout and systems take some getting used to; that’s a cultural and social issue, and can be addressed with case management. Another issue involves credit and background checks required by most, if not all, landlords and property management companies.
Refugees were in fact responsible and successful homeowners in their native country prior to forced relocation, although as mentioned above ‘home’ may not have resembled what we picture in Idaho. They can succeed here as well, and contribute to our communities and economy if given the chance. Every refugee receives temporary cash and/or housing assistance for a few months upon arrival, and are expected to become self-reliant in a few short months. They also receive extensive case management and support from local resettlement agencies to secure employment and adjust to life in their new community.
Fair housing law requires housing providers to treat every applicant equally, and that places a burden on them to document credit, rental and criminal history for each applicant without exception. It is important to know that official refugee status (Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act), provides “immediate lawful status with all the rights and privileges of a U.S. citizen (except the right to vote or work for a government entity.)
Some property managers relying on partial or misleading information about renting to refugees have paid a high price. It’s worth the time to double-check the facts to reduce liability and the resulting legal costs.
Accepting alternate documentation.We all need to expand our concept of ‘documentation’ to remain compliant as this situation evolves. Refugees are brought into this country for resettlement by the U.S. State Department, and extensively vetted for two years or more by the Department of Homeland Security, United Nations Refugee Agency and other law enforcement agencies. Here are some examples of alternate documentation:
Alternate Documentation
To get the facts and contacts regarding renting to refugees, download:
or contact the following agencies:
Agency for New Americans (208) 338-0033
Idaho Office for Refugees (208) 336-4222
International Rescue Committee (208) 344-1792
English Language Center (208) 336-5533
See also useful refugee housing/communications resources at:
