The high cost of housing is hurting efforts to get Syrian refugees into the final stage of adapting to a new life in Canada.
The monthly housing allowance that refugees receive from the federal government is pegged to the shelter allowance that Canadians receive on income assistance.
For a family of six, that works out to up to a maximum of $885 a month for accommodation, considerably less than the normal rent required to house a family of that size. The assistance is in place for only a year.
Maple Ridge Coun. Gordy Robson said he’s receiving $785 a month for the family of two parents and four kids that’s sharing his house and another $1,570 a month for the five-bedroom house that’s occupied by the larger family, which includes two adult children.
“We cover everything – Internet, television, gas, out of that money.”
But normally, he could rent out the house for $2,100 a month, plus utilities.
“Finding a house is the biggest hold up right now,” said his wife, Mary Robson.
But even if you have the money, it’s not easy for anyone to find a place to live.
“The rental market is pretty strapped. There is a housing crisis for rental,” she said.
As a result, families are waiting in hotels for houses that have the space to accommodate the large families. And until they find homes, they can’t begin a normal life.
Families of three or more, under the federal government’s Resettlement Assistance Program, also get $649 a month for food and clothing, for a year, and a one-time start-up allowance of $1,709. The food and clothing allowance remains at $649 a month, whether it’s a family of three or 10.
Gordy Robson said the way for a group, organization or church to help would be to find a vacant house and set up a leasing arrangement. If the family likes the house, the sponsoring group would top up the monthly rent so the family could move in. With other costs, that could add up to a subsidy of $20,000 a year.
He encouraged other groups interested to get involved.
“I can see another five to 10 families here,” he said.
“If a group wants to sponsor a family in this town, there’s a lot of help. They just need $15,000 to $20,000 a year.”
He said, so far, things are going well with the new arrivals.
“The kids are so well behaved and the parents are so grateful, it’s great to be around them.
“This is just a blessing,” he added.
The family settled in on the weekend after the paperwork was completed following placement by Immigrant Settlement Services of B.C.
“Yesterday was the best Family Day I ever had,” Gordy said Monday.
“Family dinner is 25.”