Act Now for Afghan Allies campaign update and urgent need for Landlords

October 10, 2021 11:14 am

Los Angeles– International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA) is eagerly seeking landlords willing to rent to Afghan families, as well as other refugee/asylee families.

Fact Sheet for Landlords Interested in Renting to Refugees

This Fact Sheet is designed for landlords who are interested in the possibility of renting property to refugees, asylees and asylum seekers and who would like additional information before making a

decision to do so.

HOW WILL REFUGEES, ASYLEES AND/OR AFGHAN ASYLUM SEEKERS AFFORD TO PAY A DEPOSIT AND MONTHLY RENT?

All refugees, asylees and Afghan asylum seekers receive government benefits to cover partial rent through TANF/CalWORKs until they are employed. In addition, each refugee and each Afghan asylum seeker receives from $1,025 to $1,200 as a one-time resettlement grant to pay for deposits and rent.

HOW WILL REFUGEES/ASYLEES/ASYLUM SEEKERS FIND A JOB?

All refugees, asylees and Afghan asylum seekers are given the right to work by the US government. It is the responsibility of the International Institute of Los Angeles to provide the skills, tools and contacts to assist at least one member of each household to get a job as quickly as possible. As a landlord, you receive a tenant who is well connected with their new community and is receiving case management support and translation services.

WHAT IF THEY CANNOT PASS THE CREDIT CHECK?

Because refugees, asylees or asylum seekers are newly arrived into the country, they will not have a credit history. The Department of Homeland Security and other national security agencies have completed exhaustive background checks of each person. The overwhelming majority of refugees, asylees and asylum seekers have left careers, businesses and professional lives behind in their home country. Their biggest desire is to become successful once again in their new country and to be as self-sufficient as soon as possible.

WILL THERE BE A CO-SIGNER?

Many refugees, asylees and asylum seekers will not have a co-signer. Unfortunately, IILA is not able to take on that responsibility. Again, as stated above, the overwhelming majority of refugees, asylees and asylum seekers have left careers, businesses and professional lives behind in their home country. Their biggest desire is to become successful once again in their new country and to be as self-sufficient as soon as possible. Refugees, asylees and asylum seekers have a strong desire to create a home; they are trained by IILA Case Management staff in maintaining an apartment and understanding a lease.

By agreeing to rent to a refugee, asylee or asylum seeker, you are making a huge difference in the life of a family who has endured great hardship. Please help us to help them so that they can begin the path to a new life of dignity and self-sufficiency. For more information or to rent to a family, please contact: Hasmik Ktoian at HKtoian@iilosangeles.org or at (818) 639-9004.

How You Can Sponsor a Resettling Afghan Family

WHAT DO RESETTLING FAMILIES NEED MOST? As we prepare for the arrival of hundreds of refugees, we expect that our top priorities for families will be:

Securing affordable, long-term housing
Finding good job opportunities
Legal assistance to help asylum seekers apply for asylum so that they can access federal benefits
Funding to cover basic costs for resettling families
HOW CAN FAMILY SPONSORS HELP?
The best way to make the biggest impact for arriving families is to become a Family Sponsor. Family Sponsors help cover

critical resettlement expenses during the first six months after a family’s arrival. These first six months are crucial to helping the family successfully start their new lives, find community, purpose, and a sense of belonging, and ultimately become self-sufficient.

There are several levels of Family Sponsorship where you can provide support for one month up to six months. Your gifts are tax-deductible and can be made in multiple installments:

Basic Needs Sponsor: $2,000 covers food, hygiene products, household items, and other basic needs.
Technology Sponsor: $4,000 covers internet access, smart phones, and laptops that parents need for job
searching and children need for school.
Rental Sponsor: $12,000 helps cover six months of safe and stable housing for a family while the parents are
seeking employment.
Transportation Sponsor: $15,000 covers a reliable used car and insurance to help the family get around, go to
work, and provide for their children.
Full Resettlement Sponsor: $20,000 fully covers resettlement costs for a family of 4-6 during their first six
months in Los Angeles.
If you are not able to become a sponsor, please know that your gift of any amount will go directly to supporting

resettling families. Make a gift today at www.iilosangeles.org/donate.

CAN I GET TO KNOW THE FAMILY?
IILA can share periodic updates on how the family is doing and other details that the family provides. Due to privacy and

safety concerns for some families, there may be confidentiality guidelines in place. Depending on the family’s circumstance, we may be able to share photo/video updates or arrange for a meeting with the Sponsor(s).

WHO CAN BE A FAMILY SPONSOR?
Anyone! Whether you are an individual, family, small or large business, faith group, social association, sports league, or a

group of friends, you can make a huge difference in welcoming our Afghan allies. Your group or community can come together to pool resources to sponsor a family together.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

Talk to your group to determine what level of sponsorship you are interested in. For more information or if you’re ready to become a Family Sponsor, please contact Alex T. Nguyen at anguyen@iilosangeles.org.