JUN 21 2021
When a new household arrives in Northwest Arkansas, the process of reception and placement is moves fast: Canopy works with our community to make sure every new arrival is welcomed at the airport, has at least 3 days worth of groceries waiting for them, and a co-sponsor team waiting to meet them and serve as friends and community guides.
We also work to secure safe and affordable housing for new arrivals so that they have a new, furnished home to move into.
The process of finding housing can be difficult, especially in a place like Fayetteville, where the community continues to grow and housing is in high demand! On top of that, landlords and apartment complexes are often hesitant to work with newly arriving refugee households. Newly arriving families don’t bring references from previous landlords with them. That’s why we are especially grateful for the amazing landlords and apartment complexes that work with Canopy. And today, we want to introduce you to one of those partners!
Meet Crystal. Crystal is the community manager at South Creekside apartments, a complex here in Northwest Arkansas that works closely with Canopy.
We sat down with Crystal to ask her about her role with South Creekside- and her experience working with Canopy.
Why— and how— does South Creekside work with Canopy?
C: “Our owner and his family are big supporters of Canopy NWA, and they asked if we would be able to help with new arrivals by renting units to new arrivals. I did the research and contacted the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) to make sure that we would be able to help these families with our state and federal regulatory laws. They said ‘absolutely!’ so we jumped all over the opportunity to help these families have access to housing. We’re really excited about being able to be a part of such a great organization.”
You mentioned the regulations that you have to follow. What exactly is the difference between providing housing for refugee families?
The big thing is the social security number. I was under the impression that we needed a social security number or specific documentation of citizenship immediately. However, since refugees receive their social security cards within their first 90 days of arriving, we can easily rent to them. Everything worked out wonderfully!
South Creekside isn’t a Mom and Pop landlord- we have to comply with various regulations- and even still we are able to rent to new arrivals. Many apartment complexes, private owners and LLCs- they don’t have to have such stringent compliance as we do, so renting to new households would be even easier.
What have been the highlights and challenges of renting to newly arriving households?
“We were kind of scared at first- it was unknown. But we said we’re going to hope for the best and Canopy jumped right. The Canopy team and volunteers meet the new families at the airport, they bring them here to their new apartment, and they already have a meal ready for them. They get the apartments furnished and walk with them through everything.
The only challenges that we really have is the language barrier, but the folks at Canopy have always, always been very receptive and cooperative. They work with translators and they have always helped us bridge that gap.
Our community has a one year lease. Different properties and different ownerships have different lease terms but ours is one year. Canopy told us ahead of time, that within 90 days to six months, these households should be stable and they should be on their feet, working. But if necessary, Canopy will step in and sponsor them for up to two years as well. So there is no hesitancy or worry that Canopy tenants will be unable to pay their rent.
At first, you felt hesitant to work with Canopy households- do you enjoy working with these households now?
Yeah! And Canopy makes it so easy. They make the process so much easier, and we feel absolutely comfortable with working with these families!
We are trying to find more available housing for newly arriving families. Do you have any advice for other properties who might consider working with us?
I would say if you’re in a position to work with Canopy do it, absolutely. Canopy has been such a great organization and so much more. They are important to the lives and futures of these families.
If you love to help people and you want to see people succeed, this is something that I definitely recommend to anybody. To see these kids outside playing and riding bicycles.
I think of our first family, how absolutely terrifying it has to be to get on a plane and come to a new country-to leave everybody and everything you know behind to start a whole new life. I just wanted to be part of helping them and help them be comfortable in their new home.
Do you feel like the South Creekside community has welcomed the new families that have arrived?
Yes! I’ve had several residents come in and be like, “Hey, wow I met your family from [another country] and they’re so awesome!” They love trying to communicate and one of the other residents even downloaded a translator app to communicate.
We really try to instill a community feeling with everybody. We want everybody to feel welcome and to feel at home.
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