A Landlord’s Guide to Refugee Programs in Massachusetts
By Kimberly Rau, MassLandlords, Inc.
In January 2022, the news reported that Massachusetts was set to host 2,000 Afghan refugees, who were expected to arrive by the end of that month. That was almost double the 1,100 individuals the state was expecting following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Between October 2021 and the end of the year, 450 Afghan refugees settled in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Massachusetts is one of only a handful of states that has pledged additional state money to help refugees.
Refugees in Massachusetts come from all over the world. Some of the top countries include Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Honduras, Ukraine and Sudan.
In spring 2022, the state legislature approved an additional $10 million to assist refugees from Ukraine. The first Ukrainian refugee family that entered the state in April 2022 settled in Westfield.
Refugees come to a country seeking asylum, and often have very little in the way of resources or local connections. That makes access to state programs imperative to these individuals’ success in their new country. Very few, if any, will purchase a home right away, making rentals a primary form of housing for many new immigrants.
Who are Refugees?
The United Nations Refugee Agency defines a refugee as “someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence.” These individuals may not be able to return to their home country, or are afraid to, and may be afraid of persecution based on their race, national origin, political beliefs or other social group affiliations.
Amnesty International reports that there are 26 million refugees globally, half of whom are children. In 2019, two thirds of all refugees came from Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar. However, in 2019, 85 percent of those refugees were living in developing nations, and only half of a percent of those refugees were resettled. This makes Massachusetts’ efforts to host refugees even more important.
Which Housing Programs Assist Refugees?
After arriving, refugees in Massachusetts receive 90 days of assistance from resettlement agencies. This includes housing assistance, food, clothing and other necessities. After that, matching grant programs may provide further assistance. These initial resettlement services are funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Following that, the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) connects refugees with support programs offered by a network of service providers. All programs are managed under the umbrella of the Massachusetts Refugee Resettlement Program, also known as 121 CMR 2.0.
To participate in the program, an individual must have documented status as a refugee as defined under 121 CMR 2.420, which covers a number of situations, including refugees, those seeking asylum and victims of trafficking.
The Refugee Resettlement Program has a number of methods of assisting refugees as they resettle.
For those who do not have dependent children and are searching for work, the Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) program provides up to eight months of cash assistance. Applicants must meet income and time availability requirements. They may not be receiving other assistance such as SSI or SSDI. Those with children may be eligible for the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) program. Eligibility is determined through the Department of Transitional Assistance. These funds can be applied to housing.
For refugees who need help finding employment, the office of Refugee Employment Services can assist with the job search.
Are Refugees Protected by Anti-Discrimination Laws?
Federal and state anti-discrimination laws protect individuals from discrimination based on race and national origin. Either (or both) of these categories may apply to refugees, and therefore, they are protected under the law. You must vet them for tenancy as you would any other rental candidate, and proceed accordingly.
Discrimination based on these factors is illegal. So is discrimination based on income. Refugees who are receiving cash assistance from a state or federal program who meet income guidelines cannot be denied a tenancy based on this.
Are Refugee Assistance Programs Temporary Sources of Income?
The Refugee Cash Assistance program is a temporary source of income, as is TAFDC. Refugees may also be receiving SNAP (food stamps) benefits, which, while not necessarily as temporary as other programs, should be counted as income. This benefits the renter, because if less of their income is allocated for food, more may be allocated for housing.
Refugees may also be receiving disability benefits from the federal Social Security program, SSI or SSDI. These too should be factored in as income.
Calculating temporary sources of income can be trickier than calculating more permanent sources (Social Security disability programs can be either short- or long-term, and may be permanent). We recommend reading our article on temporary sources of income for guidance.
Conclusion
Refugees enter new countries in the hope of finding a better life than they had in the country they left. Even with government assistance, this can be difficult, especially with language barriers. Agencies may assist refugees with finding housing; if you receive a call from such an agency, work with them to determine if you and their client are a good fit for each other.
It’s good to remember that the temporary source of income qualifier may not always give you a complete picture. Some refugees may only qualify for a few months of aid, but may have strong professional credentials that will boost their earning potential once they have their feet on the ground. Your applicant may have been a professor or doctor in their former country. They may have an engineering or tech background that will help them find employment quickly. Before dismissing someone out of hand, find out what their plans are, if possible. You may be one of the first long-term business relationships they have in America.
