BC’s Refugee Claimant Housing Referral System (BC CHARMS) | MOSAIC Programs (2024)

BC’s Refugee Claimant Housing Referral System (BC CHARMS)

Enhancing Refugee Claimants’ Housing Access in BC

Eligibility

To join this program, you need to meet all of the following criteria:

Program Overview: (housing bc)

BC CHARMS (British Columbia Refugee Claimant Housing Referral System) is dedicated to assisting refugee claimants in accessing safe and suitable housing options throughout the province. Our program works collaboratively with transitional housing providers and settlement agencies to ensure timely and personalized housing referrals for individuals and families who have recently arrived in Canada.

Key Features:

1. Housing Referral System:
   • BC CHARMS collaborates with transitional housing providers across BC to compile a comprehensive database of available housing units.
   • Refugee claimants are matched with suitable housing options based on their individual needs, family size, and preferences.
2. Partnership with Settlement Agencies:
   • • We work closely with settlement agencies in BC to ensure that refugee claimants receive personalized housing referrals and ongoing support throughout the settlement process.
     • Our partner agencies play a crucial role in connecting refugee claimants with available housing units and providing additional settlement services as needed.
3. Housing Support:
   • Transitional housing providers collaborate with BC CHARMS to list available units in our database.
   • Once connected to one of our partner agencies, refugee claimants will be referred to available units based on their housing needs, family size, and other relevant criteria.

BC CHARMS Partner Agencies:

• Archway Community Services (Abbotsford)
• DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society (Surrey)
• Immigrant Services Society of BC (Vancouver)
• MOSAIC (Vancouver, Burnaby)
• Options Community Services (Surrey)
• Progressive Intercultural Community Services (Surrey)

Through these initiatives, BC CHARMS aims to help refugee claimants, enhance their settlement experience, and promote social inclusion and integration within the local community.

Our offices are located in Vancouver and Burnaby, and our activities are conducted throughout the province of BC (see partner agencies above).

As a refugee claimant, how can I get referred to BC CHARMS?

Refugee claimants are referred to BC CHARMS via settlement agencies, legal representatives, and service providers. To start the process, you should be connected to a settlement agency and inform the settlement worker of your housing needs. Then, the settlement worker will collect the necessary information and refer you to housing options in BC CHARMS based on availability and suitability.

Can I refer a refugee claimant to BC CHARMS if I am not a settlement worker?

Absolutely! People who do not work for a settlement agency (e.g. lawyer, teacher, church clergy, etc.) can easily refer a refugee claimant in need of housing by contacting us directly for a access to the online referral form. Once the online form is submitted, a settlement worker will contact the client to complete the housing referral process.

Is my information safe and confidential?

BC CHARMS prioritizes protecting the confidentiality of your information. All participating agencies are bound by strict security standards to ensure client information is kept safe and secure.

What is the likelihood of being referred to a vacancy and how long is the waiting time?

Referrals are based on eligibility, vulnerability, and availability of vacancies. Acceptance to a vacancy is at the discretion of the housing providers, who use their own internal measures when deciding who would be the best fit. The time it takes to get accepted depends on a number of reasons including housing availability and vulnerabilities.