Welcome Homes Launch
Welcome Churches is excited to announce the launch of Welcome Homes! Here at Welcome Churches, we believe that everyone deserves to have a place that they can call home, and that the UK Church has a direct mandate to welcome those seeking refuge in our communities. We are launching Welcome Homes to encourage and equip Christians to practically demonstrate hospitality towards those seeking refuge in the UK through housing and hosting.
Welcome Homes is a new initiative consisting of two lines of support: connecting refugees with hosts for short-term accommodation in spare rooms and connecting refugees with socially minded landlords to provide long-term and affordable housing solutions.
We are excited that the Welcome Homes hosting platform is now live! Unfortunately, there are many points in the UK asylum system in which people may be at risk of homelessness and destitution. Hosting provides vital stable and safe short-term accommodation for refugees and people seeking asylum, and is a wonderfully practical way of welcoming people to the UK and breaking down cultural barriers through friendship and support.
How does it work?
Our online platform enables you to connect with a local hosting programme, who will provide training and organise a guest placement. There are many excellent programmes across the country through which people host refugees and people seeking asylum in their own home. In partnership with NACCOM (The No Accommodation Network) Welcome Homes will connect you with a hosting scheme based on what you are able to offer and the need in your area.
If you have a spare room in your home, you can find out more and become a host here!
What does the Bible say?
Hospitality is an undeniable Biblical mandate; we are all called to love all our neighbours. The parable of the good Samaritan in the book of Luke ends with a clear command from Jesus:
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
‘’The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
There are millions of people across the world fleeing conflict and persecution that are in need of a safe place to call home. In the UK, anti-immigration rhetoric has divided communities; now is the time to speak up and practically demonstrate compassion and hospitality towards those in need!
We have all been commanded to show hospitality and care to our fellow neighbours. Find out how you can help by going to Welcome-Homes.org.
If you are interested in being involved in long-term housing solutions for refugees, please contact info@welcome-homes.org