Sustainability and Social Justice

Date of Award

5-2018

Degree Type

Research Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Community Development and Planning (CDP)

Department

International Development, Community and Environment

Chief Instructor

Kathryn Madden

Second Reader

Anita Fabos

Keywords

Refugee, housing, Worcester, affordable

Abstract

This study utilizes basic indicators captured from refugee case files at Ascentria, a local resettlement agency, to explore the barriers to housing stability refugees face in the 90-day resettlement process. By piecing together raw data with insight from the data collection process, this research centers refugee households, housing, and the reporting process to answer the question “in what ways can the reporting process better serve resettled refugees in their ability to maintain housing in Worcester?” Looking at how country of birth, household size, and employment eligibility affects refugee households, this research turns to the complexity of housing stability in terms of employment, finances, and housing makeup to demonstrate the nuances of securing and sustaining housing during refugee’s resettlement. The final section on the reporting process delves into standardized forms used to relay information about a refugee’s case, and how captured or lost information affects an overall understanding of refugees and housing. This informs the final recommendations of the research, which focuses on adaptability in the face of the uncertain future of refugee resettlement agencies, expansion of the agency’s circle of partners, integration, and reporting consistency protocols to address how Ascentria’s reporting process can best serve their clients’ housing needs.

Worcester

Yes

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