Cash for rent program creates safe living conditions
In Poland, ADRA offers safe asylum and helps to become independent with their programme Cash for rent. Families fleeing the war in Ukraine can receive financial support for renting an apartment for three months.
The recruitment for the program ended in December 2022. Thanks to the support of the HIAS organisation, ADRA Poland has supported 1,642 people for a total sum of 380 000 euros.
The applicants needed to fulfil a set of conditions. After receiving the application, the committee evaluating a given family’s documentation and life situation decides on granting assistance. In addition, the aid is provided on the condition that measures are taken under the Individual Support Plan. It is a contract aimed at supporting the beneficiary in integrating with the Polish society, and helping to become independent, which includes improving language competencies needed to work in Poland.
ADRA Poland tries its best to support the needs of the refugees’
Comprehensive support, economic inclusion, and social integration are the essential needs of migrants staying in Poland. While ADRA Poland meets some of these needs in their Integration Centers for Foreigners around the country, the biggest problem at the moment is finding accommodation for families.
Although it is the tenth month since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, there are no solutions on a systemic scale that would provide war refugees with access to housing. People with migration experience need a safe shelter and thus a relative sense of stability.
In cities, on the other hand, there need to be more communal premises for the system of public services to accept and adequately serve new users. What is worse, these deficits cannot be eliminated in a short time, even if considerable financial resources were available.
Who are refugees in Poland?
Poland, due to its long border with Ukraine, cultural proximity and a large group of Ukrainian labour migrants who had previously stayed here, became the leading destination for refugees. Therefore, there is a great need to integrate them into Polish society so that they can stand on their own feet as soon as possible, decide for themselves and feel like equal community members. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict how long the war will last beyond our eastern border.
Refugees from Ukraine are primarily well-educated women with children. Most of them declare that their stay in Poland is only temporary and they will return to their homeland after the fighting stops. They are characterised by high self-reliance and entrepreneurship – the vast majority are looking for work as a source of income, and some support themselves thanks to their funds. There are also those who, fearing the war, are left with nothing. Such people, in particular, deserve support.
HIAS provided the funds needed
Funds paid under the program come from HIAS. It is a global Jewish organisation supporting refugees forced to leave their homeland because of who they are, including ethnic, religious and sexual minorities. For over 130 years, HIAS has been helping refugees rebuild their lives safely and with dignity.
