A Syrian refugee family of seven people is currently homeless in the Burnaby area – and the call is being put out to anyone who can provide them with a home.
The Progressive Housing Society is currently helping out the family, who showed up on their doorstep with a plea to find a home. The society has them in a hotel, but the society says this is not a viable solution for very long, but the lack of housing for such a large family is making placement difficult.
“(We) have been really struggling to find them housing,” said Jaye Treit, the society’s executive director.
The family consists of a “very loving mom and dad” with five children ranging in age from 18 months to 14 years. The father is a painter by trade and the teen has some command of English.
The family has been in Canada for 18 months after being sponsored by the federal government – but that program only lasts one year.
They were being housed in Nanaimo, but in substandard conditions, said Treit.
“The reason they became homeless to our understanding is that their home became condemned,” Treit told the NOW.
The family was told there are better options in Metro Vancouver, which surprised Treit, and since they showed up at the society it’s been a mad scramble to find a solution.
“I can’t even tell you how many places we’ve called trying to find housing,” Treit said. “We’re hoping that there’s somebody out there who can help this family out,” she said.
The family requires three bedrooms and has a budget of around $2,000.
If you have any housing leads for the family, you are encouraged to call Will at 604-992-8292 for more information.
