• About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Outlook
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Immigration Legal Services
    • Immigrant Resource Hub - World Relief
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • My Education Login
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • My Volunteer Login
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Classes for Churches
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate
Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries Arrive Ministries
office@arriveministries.org 612-798-4332
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Outlook
    • Events
    • Staff and Leadership
    • Join Our Team
    • News & Stories
    • Contact
  • Immigrant Services
    • Who We Serve
    • Resettlement
    • Employment
    • Immigration Legal Services
    • Immigrant Resource Hub - World Relief
    • Technology Empowerment
    • Education Classes
    • My Education Login
    • Request Volunteer Support
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Volunteer Resources
    • Regional Sites
    • My Volunteer Login
  • Get Involved
    • Community Support
    • Church Toolkit
    • Rent To Refugees
    • Hire Immigrant Neighbors
    • Classes for Churches
    • Advocate
    • Give Items
  • Donate

Renting to Refugees is Good for Business

August 5, 2021

Neighbors of MN
Greg

 

We are probably the most affordable housing in Downtown Rochester for people who need housing. We offer furnished housing. We’re not the newest properties in town, but we’ve remodeled our apartments and duplexes, and we keep them clean and nice.

I’ve rented to a couple of refugee families through Catholic Charities. One family was from Eritrea, a small African country. It was fun to love on this family. I gave the father a bike, since he walked to work. We gave them our Wii after our kids had outgrown it, and it was fun to try to teach the kids how to use the Wii. They didn’t speak any English and they were kind of closed off.  We thought it would be a nice gesture to give them something for the kids to do during the long winter.

We also rent to lots of families who come in from all over the world for treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Many of these international families are temporarily living in Rochester for 6-months to a year.

I tell my managers when communicated with our non-English speaking tenants, “louder English doesn’t work.” I had one manager and his voice would just get louder and louder. “We don’t need to shout at them.”

Communication can be tough; but a smile goes a long ways, and laugher helps with communication. Make light of the situation. We resort to a lot of pointing to figure out what’s not working. We always make sure to assure our renters that we are going to try to take care of them.

When more refugees move to Rochester in the future, I would be happy to rent to them. From a business stand point, it’s a great idea to rent to refugees. The refugees we rent to have a lot of support. They have the support of resettlement agencies. They have resources if they fall behind on rent or lose a job. They have more resources than the average married couple.

They are very respectful because they are so grateful to be here. They are going to be hard workers. It takes a lot of grit just to get to America. They are going to treat your building or apartment with respect. You have the humanity side of it too. It feels good to rent to refugees and to help other people.

I studied International Business in college and traveled abroad a lot. Now I am utilizing some of the things I learned about other cultures, and bringing that experience to my little world in Rochester.

It is fun to have a small little melting pot that we get to help. We become friends with these people from all over the world. You say hi to them and they are happy to be here.

 

Greg is the owner of Regency Apartments and owns dozens of rental units in Rochester, MN.

Related Posts

Afghanistan, Good Neighbor, Stories

Transformed by Friendship

April 9, 2025 By Kate Shermer
Good Neighbor, Stories

Neighbors for Good

March 26, 2025 By Kate Shermer
Afghanistan, Employment, Stories

A Protective, Proud Papa

March 13, 2025 By Kate Shermer

Stay Connected

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Arrive Ministries. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Connect with us:

Logo

Arrive Ministries is a refugee resettlement agency providing essential services and practical assistance to refugees and immigrants to advance self-sufficiency. We mobilize volunteers, in partnership with local churches, to extend love and friendship to our new neighbors to promote thriving in a new homeland.

About Us

1515 East 66th Street, Richfield MN 55423
612-798-4332
office@arriveministries.org

Volunteer Hours Tracker

My Education Login

Who We Are

Immigrant Services

Volunteer

Community Support

Donate

Copyright © 2024 • All Rights Reserved • Powered by Malley Design

Your Cart (0)

Your cart is empty Continue Shopping

Sign in