New research highlights community-led solutions to refugee housing challenges

A new publication launched by European Project H:OUSE (Housing to Overcome Unstable Situations in Europe) is shining a spotlight on how local communities across Europe are helping refugees overcome housing barriers and integrate into local life.

The new booklet, ‘Pilot Projects and Policy Recommendations’, showcases 18 pilot initiatives that implemented community sponsorship models across Europe, and includes policy recommendations for decision-makers to expand and sustain this approach.

As Europe continues to face a housing crisis, migrants and refugees often experience additional barriers beyond affordability, including discrimination, language challenges and limited access to information and support networks. The H:OUSE Project has brought together partners from six countries to develop and test practical community-based responses to these challenges.

In Ireland, Doras, one of the partners in the project, has supported several community sponsorship groups to form in Limerick, which helped integrate refugee families into their new communities. Other pilots demonstrate how local partnerships, volunteers and community organisations can play a vital role in creating pathways to stable housing and social inclusion.

Alongside the case studies, the booklet sets out policy recommendations for governments and European institutions to strengthen community-led housing initiatives and promote more inclusive housing systems.

One participant reflected on the impact of the project, saying: "I realised that housing is not only about physical space, but about building community and mutual support."

The H:OUSE Project brings together partners from Ireland, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Portugal and Slovenia to identify and address housing challenges faced by migrants and refugees while promoting innovative, community-based solutions.

The booklet and policy recommendations are available at https://tinyurl.com/house-booklet.

About the H:OUSE Project

The H:OUSE Project is co-funded by the European Union through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and supports the development of inclusive, community-based approaches to migrant and refugee housing across Europe. https://house-project.org/