Takecarebnb connects refugees and hosts

Takecarebnb connects refugees with host families that are willing to open up their homes for three months. Refugees have a residence permit, they have been granted refugee status by the Dutch government and are allowed to stay in the Netherlands. They remain in an Asylum Seekers’ Centre until they have been given permanent accommodation. Right now there are thousands of refugees waiting for a house.

Why?

Coming into contact with each other creates mutual understanding and removes fears
A temporary stay in a Dutch household helps the process of integration
It offers the host families the life-enriching and valuable opportunity to help the process
Contacts may turn into friendships and continue after the hosting arrangements have ended, having a positive effect on the guest and host

How?

The volunteers of Takecarebnb connects guests (refugees with a residence permit) and host families through a careful matching process.

Interested guest and hosts complete the registration form
We arrange an introductory meeting between the host and guest with one of our volunteer matchmakers.
If the meeting goes well for both the host and guest, a try-out weekend is arranged to decide if the match is viable.
If both the guest and the host family are positive about the experience, the guest can apply to COA for the temporary stay arrangement (logeerregeling). The temporary stay agreement between the host and the guest is for a maximum period of three months. If the guest is given permanent accommodation by COA before the end of this period, the temporary stay arrangement is completed earlier. It is also possible to extend the period of stay with the host family if both parties agree, or with a new host.

Host and guest can also decide to lengthen the stay if permanent accommodation is delayed.
During the entire hosting period, Takecarebnb will stay in touch with both the guest and the host family to provide ongoing support.

Who?

Takecarebnb’s matchmakers work to ensure a good match between host family and refugee. The management is responsible for developing and implementing of the organisation’s policy, fundraising, financial management and internal and external communication, as well as managing the volunteers. The board is responsible but also supervises and safeguards that the management acts honest and in the interest of the Foundation.

The Takecarebnb-team consists of:

Robert Zaal, director

Annemeijn Benkirane-Verheij, coordinator

Mart Kok, Lead IT & BI

Natalia Sallam, administration

Samia Brock, projectcoordinator

The board of Takecarebnb consists of:

Prof. Dr . Ruth Oldenziel, chairwoman

Hugo Levie, treasurer

Lumine van Uden, member

Gerolf Bouwmeester, member

History

Takecarebnb was founded in 2015 by Reinout de Kraker. While staying at an Airbnb by himself, he read about the resistance among part of the population against the influx of refugees. His idea was simple: if refugees stay over with Dutch people, both parties learn to know one another. Strangers will become well-known people. He enthused an entire group of volunteers.

In 2017 Takecarebnb said goodbye to the pioneers and organizers from the very beginning: Maya Crcic and Jonna Kleinsma. With a lot of enthusiasm they have built up Takecarebnb from a good idea to a successful start-up. In 2017 we entered a new phase: from a start-up to anchoring. With an enthusiastic team, a new manager and employees and an ever increasing circle of volunteers we are building a stable organization. Due to intensive consultations with both the Dutch Council for Refugees and COA we managed to convince the authorities of the importance of staying over for integration. The phase of emergency relief is over, yet thousands of refugees with residential permits wait in Asylum Seekers’ Centres for a house in the municipality that has been assigned to them. Waiting lists are still in place and will probably stay in place for some time to come given the scarcity at the housing market.

In 2018 has started to collaborate with COA to link up more host families to refugees in their future residences. This collaboration is a recognition of both the usefulness and necessity of our organization.

Partners

Together we are stronger. That is why we closely work together with other organizations.

Centraal Orgaan Opvang Asielzoekers (COA) refugees have the right to receive shelter from the moment they apply for asylum till they get their residence permit or have to leave The Netherlands.

The COA receives them in the refugee center, offers basic facilities and guides them to their future in The Netherlands or a different country.

Since 1st of March 2018, Takecarebnb and COA work together in context of the legal agreement on staying over (“logeerregeling”).

VluchtelingenWerk Nederland defends the interests of refugees in The Netherlands, from the moment of arrival to the integration in Dutch society. VluchtenlingenWerk Nederland supports Takecarebnb with advice and lobby.

The Ministry of Justice and Security works towards a safer and fairer society by giving people legal protection and intervening in their lives where necessary. The Ministry is responsible for supervising the performance of tasks within the immigration chain.

The Red Cross is an international organization that seeks to provide help to people in need. In the Netherlands they set up emergency shelters for refugees en provide medical help, as well as handing out clothing and other goods.