Hosting an Asylum seeking family

[turtle68]

 Im thinking of hosting an Asylum seeking family and am hoping for some pro's and con's from you all.

Our government has opened an initiative to everyone in the community to assist them with Asylum Seekers.  Its called a Bridging Home.  They dont have enough govt housing to put those who have been given a bridging visa into. So rather than have overfull detention centres they are asking the community if they can help.

I can convert my rumpus room which has two bedrooms off it and its own bathroom.  It is only for six weeks and we dont have to do much but include them in our family routine.

Here is what is required...

One or two bedrooms

Access to bathroom and laundry 

Access to the kitchen and refrigerator / cupboard space for their own food.

Help to find their own accommodation.

Ensure they have full privacy in their room.

It is just board that is required, we are not required to clean after, launder or cook for them.

I have a family of 4 kids (14,12,11,10yo) and my dad who lives with us.

The initiative will pay 220-300 dollars per person, negotiable for a family but Ive been told for a family of 4 it is 800+ dollars per week.

What do you ladies think...worth it or not worth it?

 

[JoshRachelsMAMA]

I wouldn't do something like that with my children still living at home. Too many things can happen but I admire your courage.

[turtle68]

 

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

I wouldn't do something like that with my children still living at home. Too many things can happen but I admire your courage.

Can you give me examples of the type of issues?  Trying to make sure that I have thought of everything.

The rumpus room / bathroom is at one end of the house, living spaces in the middle and the bedrooms up the other end of the house.  You have to past our room to get to the kids rooms. 

I feel that my kids would be safe from any unsupervised contact as I work from home. 

[JoshRachelsMAMA]

(1) You don't know these people, nor their propensity for violence or crime;

(2) If they have children, I'd be concerned over possible romantic/sexual contact with pubescent teens in the household;

(3). We all know that "you" can't be around 24/7, things happen

Quoting turtle68:

 

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

I wouldn't do something like that with my children still living at home. Too many things can happen but I admire your courage.

Can you give me examples of the type of issues?  Trying to make sure that I have thought of everything.

The rumpus room / bathroom is at one end of the house, living spaces in the middle and the bedrooms up the other end of the house.  You have to past our room to get to the kids rooms. 

I feel that my kids would be safe from any unsupervised contact as I work from home. 

[LindaClement]

Personally, I wouldn't do it for $10,000 a day... 

I've known a lot of people who have been host families for various things (school kids to athletes), a great many of them very successfully... but I know myself far too well.

I don't share space well. I don't invite people to spend the night, because I suck as a host. I don't want to see people before I go to bed and again when I wake up. I don't want people touching my stuff, or watching my life...

Interestingly, when my kids had friends over  --all the way to my eldest having her boyfriend live with us for most of a year-- it doesn't bother me at all. They're 'not my problem' somehow. I can live with my sister and her kids, even her husband (they stayed here nearly a month once, and it was totally fine)... but strangers? No thanks.

[turtle68]

 Good points. 

I must say I didnt think of number 2 but was only looking at families with young children (which are the first they are trying to get placed)

 

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

(1) You don't know these people, nor their propensity for violence or crime;

(2) If they have children, I'd be concerned over possible romantic/sexual contact with pubescent teens in the household;

(3). We all know that "you" can't be around 24/7, things happen

 

 

[JoshRachelsMAMA]

Yea but what of the adults when thinking about #2?

Be careful. I myself was molested in the safety of my home when I was 4.

Quoting turtle68:

 Good points. 

I must say I didnt think of number 2 but was only looking at families with young children (which are the first they are trying to get placed)

 

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

(1) You don't know these people, nor their propensity for violence or crime;

(2) If they have children, I'd be concerned over possible romantic/sexual contact with pubescent teens in the household;

(3). We all know that "you" can't be around 24/7, things happen

 

 

[turtle68]

 I know the feeling and have been there too :-(...so Im not taking any of this lightly.

If it wasnt for our house layout and work routine I wouldnt even contemplate it. 

The only reason I am...is because I would like to help these families both by getting out of the institution of detention centres and to also help them into the community.  I also think it would be healthy for my kids to be open to other cultures.

There is a lot of govt support and liasing, also a gross amount of screening, both on behalf of myself as well as the family. 

I am just at the screening part that enables me to become a host family.  I may not necessarily become one...if the screening doesnt come to standard from the family that will live with us, or even after one hour and  I dont feel safe with them.  I still maintain the right to have my home the way I want it.

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

Yea but what of the adults when thinking about #2?

Be careful. I myself was molested in the safety of my home when I was 4.

Quoting turtle68:

 Good points. 

I must say I didnt think of number 2 but was only looking at families with young children (which are the first they are trying to get placed)

 

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

(1) You don't know these people, nor their propensity for violence or crime;

(2) If they have children, I'd be concerned over possible romantic/sexual contact with pubescent teens in the household;

(3). We all know that "you" can't be around 24/7, things happen

 

 

 

[JoshRachelsMAMA]

You don't have to justify your reasoning to me. I commend you for what you're trying to do.

Quoting turtle68:

 I know the feeling and have been there too :-(...so Im not taking any of this lightly.

If it wasnt for our house layout and work routine I wouldnt even contemplate it. 

The only reason I am...is because I would like to help these families both by getting out of the institution of detention centres and to also help them into the community.  I also think it would be healthy for my kids to be open to other cultures.

There is a lot of govt support and liasing, also a gross amount of screening, both on behalf of myself as well as the family. 

I am just at the screening part that enables me to become a host family.  I may not necessarily become one...if the screening doesnt come to standard from the family that will live with us, or even after one hour and  I dont feel safe with them.  I still maintain the right to have my home the way I want it.

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

Yea but what of the adults when thinking about #2?

Be careful. I myself was molested in the safety of my home when I was 4.

Quoting turtle68:

 Good points. 

I must say I didnt think of number 2 but was only looking at families with young children (which are the first they are trying to get placed)

 

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

(1) You don't know these people, nor their propensity for violence or crime;

(2) If they have children, I'd be concerned over possible romantic/sexual contact with pubescent teens in the household;

(3). We all know that "you" can't be around 24/7, things happen

 

 

 

[LindaClement]

I'm confused about what you think the house layout has to do with it?

I agree with you, about kids being around people of other cultures. I think it's important that kids learn the difference between 'normal for us' and 'normal for all humans.'

Quoting turtle68:

 I know the feeling and have been there too :-(...so Im not taking any of this lightly.

If it wasnt for our house layout and work routine I wouldnt even contemplate it. 

The only reason I am...is because I would like to help these families both by getting out of the institution of detention centres and to also help them into the community.  I also think it would be healthy for my kids to be open to other cultures.

There is a lot of govt support and liasing, also a gross amount of screening, both on behalf of myself as well as the family. 

I am just at the screening part that enables me to become a host family.  I may not necessarily become one...if the screening doesnt come to standard from the family that will live with us, or even after one hour and  I dont feel safe with them.  I still maintain the right to have my home the way I want it.

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

Yea but what of the adults when thinking about #2?

Be careful. I myself was molested in the safety of my home when I was 4.

Quoting turtle68:

 Good points. 

I must say I didnt think of number 2 but was only looking at families with young children (which are the first they are trying to get placed)

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

(1) You don't know these people, nor their propensity for violence or crime;

(2) If they have children, I'd be concerned over possible romantic/sexual contact with pubescent teens in the household;

(3). We all know that "you" can't be around 24/7, things happen

 

 

 

[turtle68]

 LOL...I didnt think I was :-) 

I want people to find holes or maybe some more pros.

Quoting JoshRachelsMAMA:

You don't have to justify your reasoning to me. I commend you for what you're trying to do.