The Irish Red Cross has a team of experienced professional caseworkers who work directly with both refugees and pledgers of vacant and shared accommodation. 

Our caseworkers provide a full suite of practical supports for the refugees we place into homes in Ireland, signposting and referring them to essential services including welfare, education and health services. Our caseworkers also provide key mentoring supports to pledges and placements. We work with families and single people, sourcing suitable accommodation and matching services. 

The IRC also source and secure private rented accommodation for refugees utilising the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) mechanism and RAS schemes (Rental Accommodation Scheme). 

Our functionals include the management of public pledges of shared and vacant housing, the provision of assessments and verifications, health and safety checks of housing, engagement with landlords and support with legal agreements required for tenure, ongoing communications with pledgers pre and post placement.

​There are a number of options available to you if you require payment for your offer of your vacant property.  These options are determined by the State and linked to the Refugee Status appointed to the beneficiary (refugee).  

​​Ukraine Response: If your offer is open to those fleeing conflict in Ukraine, rent is not payable, however, you can avail of a tax free payment of €800 a month per property offered. This is available through the Government’s Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme (ARP). Click here to go to Government of Ireland information website: GOV - Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme: Your Questions Answered (www.gov.ie) This scheme is managed by the Department of Social Protection. An online or written application for payment may be made to the DSP. Click here to go to Government of Ireland information website: MyWelfare, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection - Online Services Housing standards for this scheme can be viewed on the Government of Ireland information website: GOV - Housing Standard for the Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme (www.gov.ie) 

​Other Refugee Response: If you offer your property to those fleeing war in Afghanistan, Syria or other countries, you can avail of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme. This is a local authority provided housing support that works for property owners, landlords, agents and tenants alike. Programme Refugees from counties such as Syria or Afghanistan are entitled to benefit from this scheme. Click here for information on the advantages of HAP: Advantages of Housing Assistance Payment for landlords and agents - Housing Assistance Payments (hap.ie)