Red Cross calls for affordable housing for recently arrived Afghan evacuees
Red Cross is appealing to landlords, real estate agents, and property developers in Perth to urgently consider leasing their property to recently arrived families from Afghanistan.
While the lack of affordable housing remains a critical issue across Perth, it's even more severe for recently-arrived migrants and refugees who face compounding issues including a lack of rental history, trauma, and uncertainty settling into a new country.
Red Cross is working with all levels of government to find affordable, safe and stable housing. "Perth is currently experiencing extremely low vacancy rates, and the homes that are available are unaffordable," says Craig Stewart, Director, Western Australia at Australian Red Cross.
"We currently need accommodation for 50 households, varying in size and locations for families and individuals who have recently arrived in Perth. With more people arriving in the next couple of months, the issue is absolutely critical.
"Our clients are capable and resilient people who are eager to establish stable, productive lives in their new communities. Red Cross supports them to settle and integrate into Australian life, and we can support them to be your new tenants," says Mr Stewart.
Red Cross is calling on property owners to give refugee families a fair go. "You can do this by offering your property to be tenanted under a head lease agreement. Red Cross supports these families to be self-sufficient, educating them on the importance of paying rent on time, taking care of the property, rights and responsibilities and helping with furnishings, connecting utilities and visiting regularly to help them settle into their new lives," says Mr Stweart.
Red Cross supports refugees, people seeking asylum and others who are vulnerable as a result of migration. The Humanitarian Settlement Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
In addition to the 50 properties needed for newly arrived families, the ongoing housing crisis is also impacting vulnerable families across the State. Red Cross welcomes offers of available properties for families and individuals in Broome, Kalgoorlie, Perth, South West WA and Esperance.
