The IRC in Salt Lake City is facing an urgent need of refugee housing. We are launching The Welcome Home Project as an ask to the public to help us provide emergency assistance through funds, employment, and resources.

40 new refugee families are facing immediate housing instability in Salt Lake City.
1 of 3
Yemane applied for jobs for a year until he was hired.
2 of 3
Federal assistance only covers the first 30 days of housing costs.
3 of 3

All Utahns are impacted by cost of living increases, the national housing crisis, and the housing affordability crisis. As homeownership rates continue to decline, the demand for rental housing has skyrocketed, reducing availability and increasing rent for everyone in the rental market. 71% of all Utahn households were “priced out of the median-priced home by spring of 2022,” according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. We all must work together to find lasting housing solutions.

For refugee families welcomed to our state, accessing housing early-on is crucial to positive long-term outcomes. We are launching The Welcome Home Project initiative to raise funds and connect with the community that will ensure refugee housing stability. Refugee resettlement is only possible through a public and private partnership: government agencies provide infrastructure for resettlement, while we engage with the community to gather resources and funds to connect refugees with their new home.

From strangers to neighbors, help us welcome refugees to their Utah home.

The IRC in Salt Lake City invites you to join our effort to provide for new refugees housing stability, find jobs, enroll kids in school, and rebuild their lives. Commit your support today!

How to Support

Give Today.

Your donation, no matter the size, empowers us to continue our vital work. Our Soft Landing Fund will support refugee and immigrants making Salt Lake City their new home through:

Rent to refugee families.

We are tasked with the responsibility to find those willing to rent to refugees. As a landlord for refugees, you're not just filling a vacancy, you're opening doors to hope and opportunity. As a landlord for refugees, you become a catalyst for positive change, fostering resilience and diversity within your own community. As a landlord for refugees, embrace the opportunity to be part of their journey towards self-sufficiency, empowerment, and integration.

You're investing in more than just real estate - you're investing in the resilience and richness of your community. Email [email protected] to partner with us!

Employ refugees.

Employment enables refugees to afford housing expenses once our support concludes. For refugees, employment represents more than just a paycheck; it signifies empowerment and self-sufficiency. For employers, hiring refugees enrich workplaces with diverse perspectives, talents, and experiences. Employers who hire refugees play a pivotal role in building inclusive communities and fostering innovation.

Join us in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and contribute. Email [email protected] to work with us!

One-on-one support.

We are in need of individuals, groups, and communities willing to give hands-on support to welcoming refugees to their new homes. There are a number of ways for people to get involved in this project:

Volunteer. Our volunteers offer practical assistance: aiding families in navigating rental processes, understanding lease agreements, and accessing to essential services. Volunteering empowers refugee families to thrive in their new environments, laying the foundation for long-term success. Explore our volunteer opportunities.

In-kind donations. Donating items helps us set up comfortable homes for refugees as they arrive in a new country with their families. Your donations help refugees feel welcome. The following are high-need items, in like-new condition, for the refugees' new homes:

Schedule a donation drop-off by emailing [email protected].

Help us welcome refugees to their Utah home.