About Finding Refuge

We believe that dignified housing and a supportive community are life-changing.

At Finding Refuge, we strongly believe that access to dignified housing and a supportive community can be truly transformative. We recognize that safe, secure, and comfortable housing is a basic human need, and that living in a supportive community can provide individuals with the sense of belonging and connection that is essential to their well-being. Additionally, having a community of individuals who offer support and encouragement can help individuals build confidence, develop new skills, and achieve their goals.

We have seen firsthand how access to dignified housing and a supportive community can be life-changing for individuals and families who have faced significant challenges. By providing individuals with the stability and support they need to thrive, we believe that we can help them reach their full potential and create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Through our programs and initiatives, we are working to ensure that all individuals have access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing, as well as the resources and support they need to build strong, healthy communities. By doing so, we are helping to create a world in which everyone has the opportunity to live a full and fulfilling life.

Greek migration policies and the failure of the EU collective asylum structure have placed thousands of refugees in precarious living situations or has left them without any accommodation.

In 2020 alone, over 11,000 refugees were forced out of their government-funded housing, leaving them vulnerable and at risk of homelessness – a situation that has only worsened since then. Compounding this issue, the UNHCR has ceased administering ESTIA housing and ended its cash assistance program for refugees and asylum seekers, leaving many without access to basic necessities and forcing them into homelessness.

This shortage of available housing options is particularly acute in urban areas such as Athens, where refugees face discrimination in the housing market and often struggle to find affordable and safe places to live. Homelessness places refugees in extremely precarious situations, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, with many women reporting incidents of sexual solicitation by men offering housing.

The situation is further complicated by the financial exploitation and discrimination refugees face in the housing market, with landlords often unwilling to rent to refugees and rental prices beyond the means of many seeking housing. For those who have been evicted, are awaiting government housing or asylum, or are otherwise struggling to find housing, options are limited and the situation remains dire.

As an organization, we recognize the urgent need for affordable and safe housing for refugees, and are committed to working with our partners to provide support and resources to those in need. We believe that everyone deserves access to safe and secure housing, and are dedicated to working towards a future where refugees are no longer at risk of homelessness and exploitation.