Part of SWG’s Housing Program includes placing SWG participants with what we call “Private Hosts”. This is a lifeline for people who need short-term emergency housing, or for those who are in need of a safe place to live while they save up to rent their own place.

A host is a private individual or family who voluntarily opens up their home to welcome and provide temporary housing for an individual or family in need of support. Hosts offer a safe, stable living environment for an agreed-upon period of time, and each hosting arrangement may differ based on the space available and the host's capacity.

Our hosts are located in Chicago and surrounding areas, and they come from diverse backgrounds, offering a variety of home setups. Because each host’s space and boundaries are unique, the length and nature of each stay may vary.

To ensure a successful and respectful experience for everyone involved, all hosts and hostees are expected to follow clear rules and boundaries established at the beginning of the stay. The SWG supports this process by drawing up a Mutual Agreement that includes the specifications previously outlined by the hosts, including any unique considerations based on the participants themselves. This Mutual Agreement is provided in English and the native language of the participants, and all parties sign the document to solidify the agreement. These guidelines help foster mutual respect, privacy, and communication.

Every host undergoes a vetting process to ensure a safe and welcoming environment. We also try our best to match hosts and hostees based on compatibility, needs, and available resources.

Throughout the stay, the SWG Housing Coordinator is available to provide support, guidance, and assistance to both hosts and hostees. This person serves as a point of contact to help navigate any questions, concerns, or adjustments during the hosting period. Often, there may also be an additional case manager from one of our member organizations involved with the participant(s) as well.

For more information, please see SWG’s Guide for Hosting Asylum Seekers in Chicagoland (created in 2023).

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If you are interested in becoming a host or if you would like more information about what hosting may entail, please reach out to Gaby, the SWG Housing Coordinator at swghousingspecialist@waucc.org