Housing

When you first arrive in the United States, there will be a place ready for you to stay. You can expect that the initial accommodation will be furnished with necessities and will probably be in a working-class neighborhood, racially and ethnically mixed. Your first accommodations may be temporary. For your initial time in the United States, you may be staying with previously settled family members, in an apartment, in a hotel, or in a welcome center (usually associated with the resettlement agency). If single, you may be placed with other single refugees, at least temporarily.

The resettlement agency is responsible for ensuring that housing is provided for your first month in the United States. If you have relatives in the United States, they may be asked to make housing arrangements for you, and they may receive financial assistance from the resettlement agency.

Long-term housing arrangements will be discussed with you soon after you arrive. Finding a suitable place to live is not easy for most Americans and may be difficult for you. Your first home, although affordable, may not be your first choice. You will want to consider location, type of housing (apartment or house), and proximity to school, work, public transportation, and stores. You will need to talk with your resettlement agency, family, friends, and others about locations to consider when looking for housing. Expect that the search will take several weeks.

There are several types of housing in most American communities:

• apartment buildings,
• single-family houses,
• trailer homes,
• room in a house or an apartment.

Resources for locating housing include:

• friends,
• co-workers,
• resettlement agency,
• "For Rent" signs on or near buildings,
• rental offices in apartment buildings,
• newspapers ("Classified" section), and
• real estate agencies (which may charge a fee for service).

CONTINUED >

The Cultural Orientation Project--http://www.culturalorientation.net, for more information contact sanja@cal.org
Last Updated: 4/25/00