Duniya House

A community-driven goal-oriented Approach to Providing Housing to Refugees in the heart of Athens, Greece

Duniya Housing Program

Refugees experiencing homeless have an extra layer of insecurity around their day to day existence. Homelessness affects refugees’ ability to access social services, education, and can have severe mental health implications. How can refugees integrate into a new country when their day to day thoughts and actions revolve around filling the basic need of housing? The Duniya Housing Program elevates refugees from that mental state of sheer survival. By doing so, refugees have the ability to start rebuilding their lives. Our goal is to provide them with refuge while they work to secure long term housing in the future.

How It Works

A Person Applies for Housing

We receive receive housing applications via our Whatsapp number or through this application.

Intake is conducted with an applicant

We conduct interviews with applicants that fit the basic criteria for available spaces.

Approved Applicants develop action plans for their goals

Approved residents move into their room, and start work alongside their assigned caseworker to develop an action plan for their goals.

Goal Progress is assessed every three months

Finding Refuge staff conducts a check-in ever three months to assess progress on goals. Renewal of housing is contingent upon work on one’s goals.

Duniya House began as an emergency response to growing evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic

However, Duniya House has become more than an emergency response. It has transformed into a place where displaced people from all over the world create community and regain the ability to build their futures.

View our 2021 Ramadan Campaign video about Duniya House

Catered Caseworking and Resource Mapping

From the initial application process, residents begin thinking about specific objectives they wish to accomplish during their stay at Duniya House. Once admitted into the program, our team provides support and encouragement for residents to work toward these goals. Residents work alongside their caseworkers to come up with an action plan and are connected to resources and services that will help them achieve their goals. Every three months, the Finding Refuge team conducts renewal check-ins. Renewal of housing services is contingent on the resident’s progression toward their goals. By design, while at Duniya House, residents are in pursuit of longer-term housing. We equip them with the necessary tools for success beyond their stay at Duniya House. By taking a community-driven and goal-oriented approach, we empower residents to become agents of their lives. Case-workers also connect residents to additional resources and services they may need.

In-house Education

Many of the children living at Duniya House are unable to access mainstream forms of schooling. That is why since September 2020, we have been holding classes for children, adults, and teens living in Duniya House. A certified teacher volunteers to host classes 3 times a week in our very own in house-classroom.

Community Activities

A main objective of the Duniya Housing Project is develop a strong community amongst the residents. Throughout the past year the Finding Refuge onsite staff and even some residents planned activities and outing for the Duniya community!

Food and Non-Food Item Distribution

Through the assistance of generous donors and partner organizations we provide our residents with food and necessary non-food items. We divide up food and non-food items amongst residents so everyone is covered. These donations became especially crucial for the Duniya community during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when other organizations were closed and residents could not access many services. Pamperaki has been one of our major supporters and has helped provide these necessary food and non-food items.