Volunteers open home to refugees

More than 1000 applicants have answered the Government’s call to make spare rooms available to asylum seekers whose refugee status is being determined.

The Government will pay about $260 a week to households that will provide food, board and guidance to two asylum seekers for six weeks.

The homestays are expected to replace detention for 200 asylum seekers each month, starting within weeks.

Wollongong’s Cathryn Dorahy and her husband Rodney Leggett have applied to become hosts under the program.

‘‘I saw it as a good opportunity to help people to establish themselves in Australia and get an understanding of our culture, and also for us to have a better understanding of them,’’ Ms Dorahy said.

‘‘They’re coming from a negative environment. This way they’re coming into a community and people’s homes, where they can see the positive side. I think it could be beneficial to them psychologically.’’

Households approved under the program will host newly arrived asylum seekers for six weeks.

The program is a revised version of the privately run Australian Homestay Network, started seven years ago to set standards for international student accommodation.

The group approached the Red Cross and Department of Immigration about a year ago, when the psychological harm of long-term detention was enjoying newfound political attention.

Homestay network executive chairman David Bycroft said the response from people wanting to be hosts was ‘‘overwhelming’’.

The network is intended to house about 200 asylum seekers a month in Australian homes.

‘‘This gives them a head start in culturalising with an Australian family,’’ Mr Bycroft said.

‘‘The host will be part of making a difference. The ideal situation is that they will form a long-term mentoring relationship with the guest in their home and help them in many ways, including job hunting.’’

See www.homestaynetwork.org/cpn for more information.