The IRC supports people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control over their future. The IRC and our U.S. partners stand ready to resettle refugees, as the U.S. expects to welcome 125,000 refugees from around the world this year.

You can help your community by renting your property to these newcomers as they rebuild their lives.

Resettled family stands in front of their home in the United States
Photo: Andrew Oberstadt/IRC

As one of ten national resettlement agencies in the U.S., the IRC supports newly arrived refugees by providing immediate aid, including food and shelter. Through a network of staff members and volunteers, the IRC provides access to the tools of self-reliance: housing, job placement and employment skills, clothing, medical attention, education, English language classes and community orientation.

Each resettlement office serves as a free, one-stop center for refugees’ needs during their pivotal first months in the United States. In addition to assisting refugees integrate into more than 30 U.S. cities, the IRC’s refugee resettlement network provides access to tools of self-reliance: housing, job placement and employment skills, clothing, medical attention, education, English language classes, and community orientation.

One of the most foundational needs of refugees in the U.S. is housing.

How can I rent to a refugee?

Housing is a cornerstone for refugee families as they recover and rebuild their lives in the U.S. If you're interested in renting to refugees, fill out this quick form and a staff member near you will contact you to share more information and help you get started.

Why should I rent to refugees?

Safe housing is the essential first step for refugee families integrating into their new communities across the U.S. Renting to refugees provides the stable foundation needed as they rebuild their lives and create a sense of place. It will also expand your tenant pool and bring several benefits, including:

How does the IRC support landlords and refugee renters?

The IRC provides several housing services to our refugee clients, including:

Resettled couple sits in the doorway of their new home

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are refugees, SIVs, parolees, asylees and asylum-seekers?

Refugees are men, women, and children who have fled their countries of origin to escape harm on account of political instability, armed conflict, or other threats of violence or persecution.  

Special Immigrants are persons who worked with the U.S. Armed Forces or under Chief of Mission authority as a translator or interpreter or were employed by/on behalf of the U.S. Government. They have been granted permanent resident status in the U.S. through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program.

Humanitarian Parolees are persons who have escaped violence and persecution and were granted permission to enter and remain in the United States for a period of time, which may include a pathway to lawful permanent residence and eventually U.S. citizenship.

Asylees are persons who, like refugees, have fled persecution in their country to nationality and who have sought and received protection after entering the United States. 

An asylum-seeker is a person who has left their country of nationality to escape persecution and whose request for protection has yet to be adjudicated by the US government. 

How does a refugee qualify for resettlement in the United States?

To qualify for refugee resettlement in the United States, a person must come from a country or belong to a group designated by the US Department of State. Individuals must demonstrate that they have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Specially trained officers from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conduct in-person interviews to adjudicate individual requests for protection in the United States. Applicants for refugee status undergo comprehensive biometric screening and interagency security background checks before being admitted to the US.

How does IRC help newly arrived refugees and other displaced people?

The IRC provides case management services to newly arrived refugees starting at the airport pick-up. Initial services include housing, furnishings, food, clothing, community orientation, enrollment of school-aged children, and referrals to other ongoing services for refugees’ first 30 to 90 days in the U.S. Refugees acquire the knowledge and skills needed to adapt to life in the United States and adapt to their new communities thanks to cultural orientation provided by the IRC. 

This includes a particular emphasis on learning English and finding employment to enable self-sufficiency. IRC staff also educates clients on general housing and home safety practices and emergency procedures. The orientation, education, and coaching are all delivered with cultural and language competency, and interpretation is available for all refugees.

How do refugees pay rent and what documentation can refugees submit with their rental applications?

Refugees are authorized to work immediately upon their arrival in the United States, though they may not have a job as soon as they arrive. All refugees and eligible newcomers are eligible for job readiness and employment placement services. Refugees have a proven attitude of perseverance and determination. Most have a strong desire to create healthy homes and prosperous futures. Refugees are culturally diverse and responsible community members eager to establish themselves in and contribute to American society. 

Refugees do not arrive in the U.S. with the documentation the average American has, such as a Social Security card, credit/rental history, and employment history in the United States. They can, however, provide evidence of legal status, reliable income if employed, and agency support to help resolve any tenant-landlord issues that might arise. Below provides information about equivalent documentation that can be used to verify the eligibility of refugees for housing. 

Legal Status: State ID or Social Security Number

Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, which does not expire. This is evidence that a refugee is legally in the United States and is eligible to work.

Criminal History: State ID or Social Security Number

Many refugees and other eligible newcomers may not have a state ID or a Social Security number immediately after arrival, which means a landlord may not be able to run a background check. All refugees and other eligible newcomers are screened and vetted by various U.S. Government agencies. Refugees undergo mandatory and rigorous security vetting by the U.S. Government, including biometric and biographic security checks, medical exams, and interviews with the Department of Homeland Security’s US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This FAQ Fact Sheet explains the vetting and screening process and answers frequently asked questions.

Credit Check: Credit Report

If a landlord or property manager requires credit checks at admission, they may generally forgo credit checks for refugees and other eligible newcomers. Landlords and property managers may generally forgo credit checks for any potential resident as long as they do not violate the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing-related transactions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability. If a credit check exception is made because of immigration status (like refugee status), the exception must apply equally to all those in the immigration status and not only to those of a certain national origin.

For more information from the Department of Housing and Urban Development on refugees and other eligible newcomers, including fair housing issues and credit requirements, please see:

https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/field_policy_mgt/refugees

Ability to Pay Rent: Income Verification 

Refugees arrive with no credit history in this country and without pre-arranged employment; however, all refugees are eligible for cash assistance when they arrive in the US. In addition, IRC staff works with refugees to provide job readiness and employment placement services soon after arrival. 

Rental History: Landlord Reference 

Refugees have no rental history in the US. However, refugees go through an orientation to teach them their responsibilities as tenants. In case of emergencies or tenant-landlord issues, you can contact IRC staff for additional support. 

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Homeland Security have provided further details and answers to frequently asked questions found here: Renting to Refugees and Eligible Newcomers

Who do I contact if my property management staff have questions or need to communicate an issue about an IRC client staying at my rental property?

IRC case workers and housing staff at your local city office will assist refugees placed in your rental property. These staff can answer any questions and support your property management staff. Interpretation is also available through IRC. Please visit our  where we work page for local contact information.