Summer homes on the South Coast could house Afghan refugee families this winter.
Amid a housing shortage in the region, refugee resettlement agencies have struggled to secure places for incoming families to live.
Helena DaSilva Hughes runs New Bedford’s Immigrant Assistance Center, which is working to resettle a handful of families in the area. She said people who own summer homes on the South Coast could help by renting out their houses for the winter months.
“There are a lot of empty homes in the winter,” said DaSilva Hughes. “To me it just makes sense to utilize those empty homes to house these families.”
DaSilva Hughes said the rentals would be temporary. “At least by giving six months, it will give us time to find some more permanent housing.”
She added that interested homeowners should contact the Immigrant Assistance Center.
