02 December 2021
Red Cross calls for affordable housing for recently arrived Afghan evacuees
Red Cross is appealing to landlords, real estate agents, and property developers in Canberra, to urgently consider leasing their property to recently arrived families from Afghanistan.
While the lack of affordable housing remains a critical issue across Canberra, it’s even more severe for recently-arrived migrants and refugees who face compounding issues of lack of rental history, trauma, and uncertainty settling into a new country.
Red Cross is working with all levels of government to find affordable, safe and stable housing. Current funding support includes the ACT Government’s settlement support grants. But with accommodation in such short supply, particularly around this time of year, much of the short-term accommodation where these families are staying has become unavailable.
“We currently need accommodation for 134 people, or 35 households. And with more people arriving in the next couple of months, the issue is absolutely critical. Safe, stable and affordable housing is one of the most important parts of a newly arrived refugee’s life, but the lack of affordable housing means these families are being priced out of the market,” says Gop Gai, Regional Manager Migration Support Program for Australian Red Cross, ACT.
“Our clients are capable and resilient people who are eager to establish stable, productive lives. Red Cross supports them to settle and integrate into Australian life, and we can support them to be your new tenants,” says Ms Gai.
In 2017, Eddie Shaw decided to rent his investment property through Red Cross to a Syrian refugee family. The family ended up staying for two-and-a-half-years, only recently moving out after they saved up enough money to buy their own place.
“They came to this country with nothing, they worked hard, were lovely neighbours, a wonderful family and, as tenants, they were fantastic. The rent was always paid on time and there were never any issues. It just goes to show you how well a family can do, coming from a war-torn country and settling in Australia. With help from the Red Cross, they’ve made a life for themselves,” says Mr Shaw.
Ms Gai has called on property owners to give refugee families a fair go. “You can do this by offering your property to be tenanted under a head lease agreement. Red Cross supports these families, helping with furnishings, connecting utilities and visiting regularly to help them settle into their new lives” says Ms Gai.
Red Cross supports refugees, people seeking asylum and others who are vulnerable as a result of migration. The Humanitarian Settlement Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
