Building Pathways to Success

Programs Preferred Communities

- PIR (Program of Initial Resettlement)
- ICM (Intensive Case Management)
- GAPS (UHP – ASA – REA)

The Preferred Communities (PC) program

It supports refugee and ORR-eligible populations with challenging needs that require special attention, including those with serious medical conditions, women at risk, and elderly refugees. The majority of refugees find themselves well on the path to economic independence after enrolling in employment programs. However, the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program also resettles a number of extremely vulnerable individuals who need additional assistance to successfully integrate. For these individuals, the Preferred Communities program offers intensive case management to overcome barriers as they acclimate to life in the U.S. and learn to manage the difficulties they face on their own. Participating in the Program The program provides critical interventions and services for refugees with special needs who have arrived within the past five years. Also, Preferred Communities supports unanticipated arrivals and gaps in services, such as offering initial assessments and referrals, and providing direct financial assistance for emergency needs. Through Preferred Communities, ORR helps vulnerable populations such as:

Those experiencing psychological conditions, including emotional trauma resulting from war and other violence  Young adults without parents or permanent guardians who have been displaced for extended periods of time
Older adults without a family support system

Those with physical disabilities or medical conditions Services include:

Long-term case management.
Health and medical interventions.
Mental health interventions.
Social adjustment services The program also provides resources to assist specialized service providers further develop their capacity to place vulnerable refugees in specific areas of the country where there will be better served.

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Matching Grant Program

The Matching Grant Program helps refugees and other ORR-eligible populations overcome barriers and quickly find jobs. The intent is for refugees to become economically self-sufficient through employment within 240 days and without accessing cash assistance programs. The program is a public/private partnership enabling communities to become directly involved in supporting refugees through donations, volunteer support, and mentorship. Participating in the Program Matching Grant program participants must meet certain employment requirements and must enroll within 31 days after their date of arrival or eligibility. The program works closely with clients, providing:

Case management
Employment skills training
Job referrals
Family budget planning

The program also helps refugees with:

The Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP) Case Coordination Program

Case Coordination Services assist refugees to be successfully resettled in the U.S. and achieve self sufficiency as quickly as possible. The services focus on clients who are at increasing and heightened risk of lack of safety and well-being (including homelessness), loss of or not achieving economic self sufficiency, and family instability due to local displacement, trauma, and re-traumatization, socio economic hardships, and related social transition hardships. Case Coordination Services support ORR eligible beneficiaries who are at increasing and heightened risk of lack of safety and well-being including homelessness), loss of or not achieving economic self-sufficiency, and family instability due to local displacement, trauma and re-traumatization, socio-economic hardships, and related social transition hardships amidst the current environment. Coordination services will assist the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) eligible beneficiaries to meet their urgent needs through stabilization and self-sufficiency support, essential information, education, and assistance with referrals in accordance with Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations Subpart I, Refugee Social Services.

Housing Assistance Program for Refugees & Immigrants

Arizona Immigrant & Refugee Services (AIRS) provides temporary housing assistance for eligible refugees and immigrants in Arizona who are experiencing financial hardship or housing instability. Our goal is to help individuals and families maintain stable housing while working toward self sufficiency.

Program Benefits

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Girl sitting outside a tent, holding clothes.

Who May Qualify

You may qualify for the Housing Assistance Program if you:

Are a refugee or immigrant with eligible ORR qualifying status
Live in Arizona
Are facing eviction, homelessness, or housing instability
Have insufficient income to cover monthly housing expenses
Are unemployed, waiting for work authorization (EAD), or experiencing financial hardship
Are unable to work due to medical reasons and awaiting public benefit approval Important Information
Assistance is based on eligibility and funding availability
Housing assistance may be provided for a maximum of three months
Applications must include all required documents
Program guidelines are subject to change

Immigration Services & Programs

Immigration Specialist

Walk-in hours: Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Please call to make an appointment outside walk-in hours.

We provide immigration services, including:

Relative Petitions
Citizenship
Permanent Residency
Replacement of Lost or Stolen Documents
Special Protected Status Deferred Enforced Departure
Family Reunification
Immigration Consultations
I-485 Green Card Application Processing
I-485 Biometric Scheduling Issues
I-765 Work-permit Application Processing Research Green Card and Work Permit Delays
I-730 Refugee Application Processing
I-131 Re-parole Application Processing