Room in shared flat
Do you have a free room?
Providing refugees with their own living space is a crucial step in offering them privacy, decent housing and the opportunity to participate in society. At Welcome Refugees, we are committed to placing refugees from overcrowded camps and accommodation in shared rooms. Your support can make a huge difference. So if you have a free room in a shared flat, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Important note
We arrange rooms for a minimum stay of 12 months. Please do not register your room if it is only available for a few weeks. Our placement services are open to all refugees, regardless of their country of origin. Your contribution can help them start a new chapter in their lives in safety and dignity.
01.
Report a free room
You can easily register your free room on our website. To do this, we need some basic information about your living situation, such as the location, size of the room and existing furnishings. Once you have provided this information, we will contact you as soon as possible to clarify any questions and discuss further details.
We then start looking for a refugee who is a good match for your living situation. We take into account both the needs of the refugee and your preferences to ensure the best possible match. As soon as we have found someone who matches your details, we will put you in touch.
You will then have the opportunity to get to know each other and clarify any unanswered questions. This way you can make sure that both sides feel comfortable and that all the important points have been discussed before you make a decision. Our aim is to create a harmonious and supportive living situation for everyone involved.
02.
Securing rental payments
Together we will look for suitable ways to finance the rent for the living space you provide. It is important to us that you are not financially burdened and do not have to pay the rent out of your own pocket.
We support you in identifying and applying for various grants and financial aid. These include government support programmes, charitable foundations and other organizations that are committed to supporting refugees.
We will be by your side every step of the way, helping you to complete the necessary applications and collect the required documents. Our aim is to find a secure and sustainable financing solution that is beneficial for both you and the refugee who will be living with you.
Your commitment and your willingness to provide living space are invaluable. We therefore ensure that you are not financially burdened and that all necessary funds are provided to cover the rental costs.
03.
Ready to move in
We did it! Your new flatmate is now moving in with you. This exciting step marks the beginning of a new chapter for both you and the refugee who will now be part of your shared apartment, and we know that moving in with a new person can bring with it many questions and possibly also challenges.
That’s why we won’t leave you alone. Our team will continue to be at your side and is always available to support you with any questions and concerns. Whether it’s organizational details, cultural differences or everyday challenges – we are there for you.
You can contact us at any time, whether for practical tips on living together, help with bureaucratic matters or simply to share your experiences and concerns. Our aim is to make sure that both you and your new flatmate feel comfortable and get along well.
Thank you for being part of our community and making an important contribution to the integration of refugees through your support.
Questions and answers
How much time should we allow for preparation?
The preparation time required can vary greatly and depends on a number of different factors. One of the main reasons is the many bureaucratic hurdles that refugees often have to overcome before they can move from the camps to a new home. Depending on the individual situation and legal status of the refugee, these hurdles can be complex and time-consuming.
Another decisive factor is the place where you live. Depending on the city or region, the availability of apartments and the general framework conditions can vary, which can affect the duration of the entire process.
Your idea of living together also plays an important role. If you have special requirements or wishes, such as certain language skills, cultural backgrounds or other personal preferences, this can also influence the duration of the preparation.
All in all, you should expect it to take around 4 to 6 weeks from the time you register on our website until you actually move in. This period of time allows us to carefully search for a suitable person who matches your ideas and needs, while at the same time completing all the necessary administrative steps.
We strive to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible to ensure that both parties have a positive experience. Your commitment and patience are invaluable and make a significant contribution to offering refugees a new perspective and a safe home.
Are there any costs for us as a shared flat?
When it comes to financing the rent, we will endeavor to find a suitable solution together with you. If your new flatmate has sufficient income, he or she will pay the rent themselves. In cases where income is insufficient or non-existent, the responsible office usually covers the rental costs.
We are at your side and support you in submitting the necessary applications and overcoming the bureaucratic hurdles. Our aim is to ensure that you are not financially burdened as a shared flat and that the rent is reliably covered.
On the subject of living expenses: Normally, the refugee will take care of their own living expenses. Depending on their residence status, they may also be entitled to state support in the form of small allowances. This support can help cover basic needs such as food, clothing and other everyday expenses.
We would like to assure you that we will do everything we can to find a viable and sustainable solution so that living together is harmonious and financially secure for everyone involved. Your commitment and willingness to provide housing is invaluable and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Do you take our specific ideas about living together into account?
Yes, of course! Your wishes and ideas about living together are very important to us. Please let us know what is important to you. Our aim is to create a suitable and harmonious living situation.
However, there are a few aspects that need to be taken into account during the placement process. In Germany, significantly fewer women flee alone than men, which can make the search for women fleeing alone more difficult. Nevertheless, we have made many successful placements where those providing the accommodation were originally looking for a woman, but are also very happy with a male flatmate.
Some shared flats prefer flatmates who are vegan or vegetarian. It’s important to understand that not consuming is an expression of oversupply, which is not a reality for many people around the world. It can therefore take longer to find a vegan or vegetarian person. We therefore ask you to be tolerant and flexible with your wishes.
For reasons of safety and well-being, we do not place single women with single men. We ask you to refrain from such requests, as this contradicts our mediation policy.
We always endeavor to find a solution that is satisfactory for all parties involved. Your understanding and openness make a significant contribution to successful integration and coexistence.
What should we do if things don't harmonize between us?
If conflicts or misunderstandings arise, it is important that you first try to find a solution together as a shared flat – just like in any other shared flat. Communication and a willingness to compromise are crucial here.
If you have difficulties reaching an agreement, we will be there to support you. You can contact us at any time and we will help you to have constructive discussions and work out possible solutions. Our team is trained to mediate in such situations and ensure that everyone involved is heard.
If, despite all efforts, it is not possible to find a satisfactory solution, it may be necessary to terminate the tenancy. We will also support you in this case to make the transition as smooth as possible and, if necessary, to find a new living situation for the refugee.
Our aim is to create a harmonious and respectful living situation in which everyone feels comfortable. Your willingness to be open and work together is of great importance.
How long can the refugee stay with us?
The duration of your stay depends primarily on your wishes and possibilities. However, in order to offer the refugee a certain degree of planning security and stability, we only provide accommodation for a minimum period of 12 months. This helps to avoid a further phase of uncertainty for the person concerned and enables better integration into the new environment.
If you can only offer accommodation for a shorter period of time, we will also be happy to assist you. In such cases, we can refer you to other facilities and organizations that may offer more short-term solutions. It is important to us that both you and the refugee find a stable and suitable living situation.
We greatly appreciate your willingness to provide living space and are happy to support you in finding a solution that is optimal for everyone involved.
Can we also register if we can only provide one common room?
We attach great importance to ensuring that refugees live under the same conditions as all other residents. For this reason, we only provide accommodation if the refugee has their own room available. A private space is crucial to ensure privacy, peace and quiet and a personal retreat.
A communal room alone does not offer the necessary privacy and can lead to tension and discomfort in the long term. Our aim is to create a respectful and balanced living situation that is pleasant for everyone involved.
If you have a free room that you would like to offer, we would be delighted to receive your registration. If you only have one common room available, we will still be happy to advise you and may be able to refer you to other projects or initiatives that offer other solutions.
Thank you for your understanding and your commitment to helping refugees.
Can you also arrange a vacant apartment?
Yes, with pleasure! If you have an empty apartment that you would like to make available, we are very interested in making this possible. Having their own home can offer refugees a lot of stability and a sense of security.
Simply register on our website and enter the details of the apartment. We will then get in touch with you as soon as possible to discuss everything else in a personal meeting. In this meeting, we can clarify all important questions, explain the placement process and ensure that all requirements for a successful placement are met.
We greatly appreciate your willingness to provide living space and look forward to working with you to find a suitable solution.
Do you also provide accommodation for unaccompanied refugee minors?
No, unfortunately we do not provide accommodation for unaccompanied refugee minors. The care and accommodation of these young people requires special protective measures and a legal framework, which are guaranteed by the Youth Welfare Office.
If you would like to offer your room to a child oryoung person, we recommend that you contact the relevant youth welfare office directly. The Youth Welfare Office can provide you with detailed information and support to ensure that the special needs of unaccompanied refugee minors are adequately addressed.
We thank you for your willingness to help and will be happy to answer any further questions and provide information.
Are there any costs for the placement or does the organization earn money from it?
No, there are no costs for you. The Refugee Welcome Organization gUG is a donation-financed, charitable non-profit organization (NPO). Our work is fully supported by donations and we do not charge any fees for housing placement.
You are welcome to support our work and our commitment with a donation. Your donations help us to continue helping refugees to find a safe and dignified home. If you would like to support the project financially, you can do so to our organization, the Refugee Welcome Organization gUG.
As a non-profit organization, we are entitled to issue donation receipts. If you need a donation receipt, please provide us with the relevant information and we will take care of it.
Thank you very much for your support and commitment. Every donation helps us to continue our mission and make a positive difference in the lives of refugees.