JAN 24 2023
Kara, Canopy’s Housing Specialist, shared with us about her process of finding each new family a home here in NWA and answered a variety of frequently asked questions by landlords and property managers in our area.
“My job is to secure safe, affordable housing for refugees as they arrive in Northwest Arkansas. [When a family] is placed with us and we receive their travel [information], I first look to see how many people are in their family – is there a single person, is it a family, is that a single mother with children – and then also their languages and decide where they would be most comfortable living. We have communities in different areas – in Fayetteville, there’s a very large Congolese community – and so that typically helps as well. [We know that] having people that speak your language and come from the same place you [is extremely helpful] with integrating and feeling supported and so we try to provide that [if at all possible]. Also, [I look at] how many people are going to be working in the family unit, so if it’s just one person that’s working, we need to make sure that the rent is appropriate for that, versus some families have two or even three people that are working so that opens up more possibilities.”
Kara shared common questions and things she shares with the landlords and property managers that rent to our new neighbors:
1. “In terms of the application process, and when landlords ask about a new neighbor’s background and where they’re coming from, I like to share with them that refugees are some of the most vetted people that they will ever meet – that they have gone through years of background checks and questions, and it’s not just as simple that they show up and now here they are. They go through a very rigorous and detailed process to get here. So that puts a little relief in their minds.
Typically when you rent to someone you want references, you want to know they going to be responsible. Are they going to take care of things? And so knowing that they’ve gone through this process, I think helps the landlords understand that, okay, these are safe, responsible people.”
2. “Another concern after the initial screening and application is usually, ‘how am I going to get paid… how will tenants pay their rent?’
Canopy provides three months rent up front and utilities just initially to get the family settled. I also explained to them what other services Canopy provides as far as our employment team and if they have children, our youth services, getting them enrolled in school, that families are not left to their own devices.
We are here to assist them completely in settling into their life here in Northwest Arkansas. So we work immediately on helping them find a job in whatever field that they are most qualified for. And then, after three months, typically, our clients are fairly self sufficient. We can adjust after that, if necessary.
Through our matching grant fund, we can provide more assistance as needed. I really emphasize the fact that Canopy is here to help them long term.”
Canopy’s Greatest Housing Needs:
“We need everything everything from one-bedrooms to four-bedrooms. One-bedroom apartments are nice for single people or small groups, for example, we have a mother and daughter that’s getting ready to arrive, they can use a one bedroom [if needed], but they could also use a two bedroom [if possible]. It just kind of depends on the situation and what their needs are. Sometimes we have very large families come in, like families of nine, who will need like a four bedroom. These can be apartments, townhomes, duplexes to be anything really.
We first look at the location (proximity to public transportation and/or walkability, access to a laundromat) and space, and then we look at the cost. We typically do a walkthrough of the unit to make sure that it’s kept up, that it’s taken care of, take a look at the neighbors what the area is like if it’s safe, and then we talk with the landlord and make sure that that they’re on the same page and that they know what to expect.”
Right now, we are looking for homes in Bentonville, Springdale, Rogers & Fayetteville.
“I think a key point is the fact that these families are coming from a very different place. You know, a lot of them have spent years decades in camps waiting to come here, and it can be a really difficult process. Changing culturally, new languages, new rules. It’s a completely different way of life. And so there is a learning curve. Yes, I will provide a house – but the real work comes in with co-sponsor teams and with case management providing that support long-term and helping them adjust. I think that’s the key thing that I really focus on with the with the landlords is knowing that there are going to be some sort of a learning curves [for the family] that they should be aware of.
Financially, it’s very difficult because everything is so expensive right now. There’s a difference between a cheap place to live and an affordable place to live and I don’t want to put our clients just anywhere. It’s important to me to provide a place where they’re going to be safe, where their homes are going to be well maintained, that they’ll be listened to, that they’ll be able to make friends with their neighbors, and where they won’t be nervous about their neighbors. It’s not like just moving to a new town, they are new in every sense of the word. It’s important that they feel that sense of community and it can be tricky sometimes.”
Do you know of anyone interested in renting to new families? Provide a warm welcome by filling one of our greatest needs this year!
- Reach out to Kara at housing@canopynwa.org if you have any information on a rental property
- Make a monetary gift to help us continue to welcome families
- Help us with occasional Move-Ins by signing up to be on a Move-In team
- Be a Co-Sponsor and help new neighbors as community guides as they get settled in NWA
- Help provide much-needed necessities by getting together with your community and donating Welcome Kits
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