Innovative approaches to community-based housing for precarious migrants and refugees: A policy report

Project Title

_{Innovative approaches to community-based housing for precarious migrants and refugees: A policy report}

Funder

_{Soli*City Urban Sanctuary Migrant Solidarity, and Hospitality in Global Perspective partnership project.} 

Research Question

_{This research shares findings from a comparative study that investigates innovative approaches of local governments and community-based organizations to provide adequate housing for refugee claimants and undocumented migrants. The objectives of the study are:}

_{1) To inform multi-level policymaking of best practices in housing solutions for precarious migrants and refugees; and} 

_{2) To expand links for transnational learning and collaboration between community-based housing organizations (CBHOs) across sanctuary cities in Canada and beyond.}

^{The research is guided by the following question:} 

^{What are some best practices in the collaborative governance of local migrant and refugee housing?} 

Methodology

_{The researchers undertook a purposive systematic review of the leading policies and programs that support the housing of precarious migrants and refugees (Davis et al., 2014). Initially, the search was guided by data provided by Romero House and the Moving Cities project. Then, snowball sampling was conducted to collect additional cases of community-based housing practices from journal articles, NGO reports, news outlets (CBC News; CTV News; Global News) and city websites. In total, the researchers comparatively evaluated 51 cases of housing support for precarious migrants. Thematic analysis focused on identifying different housing models, governance structures, and funding mechanisms utilized by CBHOs. This comprehensive approach allowed for the development of a typology categorizing organizations based on program type, governance structure, and funding model.}

Background

_{In Toronto, CBHOs have assumed increased responsibility in supporting unhoused migrants (Romero House, 2023; Matthew House, 2018; Sojourn House, 2021). This increased responsibility is also the case in major cities across Europe, where innovative programs like Refugees at Home (UK) and AccomodateUkraine have connected thousands of precarious migrants in need of housing with hosts and supports to find safe, affordable and sustainable accommodation (Refugees at Home, 2023; UnterkunftUkraine, 2023). These organizations rely largely on a constellation of funding from municipal, provincial and federal governments, charity donations, individual contributions, and foundation grants. Other innovative approaches at the city-level have involved public-private partnerships to repurpose vacant property and church-based shelter (Fard & Mehan, 2018; Journey Home Community, 2023). Across many of these initiatives, housing is approached in a holistic way to provide newcomers with resettlement needs such as legal aid, health and financial support, and referral services to employment opportunities (COSTI, 2023). By offering wrap-around support, community-based housing organizations are integral actors in the successful transition of precarious migrants into safe and sustainable housing arrangements.} 

Preliminary Findings

_{The project has yielded significant findings regarding the role of CBHOs in supporting precarious migrants and refugees. A key insight is the emphasis on holistic support models in cities from Canada, Latin America, and Europe, where CBHOs provide comprehensive services that extend beyond mere shelter, including in-house social workers, childcare support, and transitional housing coordinators. The findings highlight challenges related to funding, as many CBHOs rely on a mix of government grants and charitable donations, with unclear accountability measures that may affect sustainability. Overall, the research demonstrates the lack of uniform solutions to migrant housing issues, underscoring the critical importance of collaborative governance among local governments, community organizations, and service providers to enhance the support systems for precarious migrants and ensure their access to safe and sustainable housing.}

_{Through inductive thematic analysis, the researchers developed a typology for CBHOs categorized by program type (temporary housing, collective accommodation, reception centres, home share/citizen hospitality, emergency shelter, and related programmes), governance structure, and funding model.} 

Keywords

_{Community-based housing organizations (CBHOs); migrant housing; refugee housing; sanctuary city; urban migration governance; collaborative governance; multi-level policymaking; non-profit housing}

References

_{COSTI. (2023). Support Ukrainian newcomers with volunteer housing assistance. https://www.costi.org/sys/anno_detail.php?id=41538 (external link)} 

_{Davis, J., Mengersen, K., Bennett, S., & Mazerolle, L. (2014). Viewing systematic reviews and meta-analysis in social research through different lenses. SpringerPlus, 3(1), 511. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-3-511 (external link)} 

_{Fard, H. R., & Mehan, A. (2018). Adaptive reuse of abandoned buildings for refugees: Lessons from European context. In M. Vaudetti, V. Minucciani, S. Canepa, & N. Saglar Onay (Eds.), Suspended Living in Temporary Space: Emergencies in the Mediterranean Region (1st ed., pp. 188-197). LetteraVentidue. https://philarchive.org/archive/FARARO-4 (external link)} 

_{Journey Home Community. (2024). Meanwhile Spaces. https://journeyhomecommunity.ca/meanwhile-spaces (external link)} 

_{Matthew House Toronto. (2018). Host a Refugee. https://www.matthewhouse.ca/community-host#:~:text=Host%20a%20refugee}

_{Refugees at Home. (2023). https://refugeesathome.org/ (external link)} 

_{Romero House. (2023). About us: Our history. Toronto Refugee Community Non-profit Homes and Services. https://romerohouse.org/about-us/ (external link)} 

_{Sojourn House. (2021). https://www.sojournhouse.org/ (external link)} 

_{Unterkunft Ukraine [Accommodate Ukraine]. (2023). About us: #UnterkunftUkraine and why we exist. https://unterkunft-ukraine.de/about-us/ (external link)}