Emergency Housing for Haitian Refugees

Liberty Lutheran Services (Southeastern Penn’s Affiliate of Lutheran Disaster Response) has been contacted by the state refugee coordinator with a request for emergency housing capacity for Haitian Refugees.  The agency reports, “We have very few details but are trying assess interest in helping to emergency house and feed individuals.  It is possible that people could be arriving as early as next week.  Those wishing to assist should expect to offer this hospitality for a time period of 90 days (although this number could vary widely either way).  There are many questions to be answered.  Indicating your interest does not obligate you in any way.”

Right now the latest best information is that Liberty Lutheran Services and related Lutheran networks and other partners, are “on call” for assisting with the housing needs of the second plane from Haiti slated for sometime in the next day or so.  It is anticipated that the housing needs will be organized in the long term through the Department of Public Welfare, but in the short term agencies like Liberty are being asked to assist in the short term.

In any case, Liberty is hoping to work with communities to help meet the housing and related needs (transportation, food, communication, etc.) of around 8-10 people each.  They have specifically reached out to the greater North Penn and Abington communities at this point.  This approach may change though too, as they continue to get more information.  The possibility of this region receiving people is becoming more of a reality.

Persons interested should contact Selma Onal, Lancaster Program Coordinator.   Some persons will be going to hospitals in Harrisburg and so they would need help for their escorts or family members that are acting as their medical escorts.  Selma can be reached at mailto:selmao@lcfsinpa.org or by phone at (717) 397-4757.