Reception and Placement (R&P) is the starting point for all ECDC Houston Multicultural Center interaction with our refugee clients. The program assists clients for up to 90 days starting with airport pick-up and permanent housing assistance.

Under Reception and Placement, clients receive many initial services to acclimate to life in the US, including cultural orientations, assistance with school enrollment, food security, and assistance with applying for social services like SNAP, Medicaid and Social Security Income.

Reception and Placement (R&P)

• Refugees

• Asylees

• Cuban and Haitian Entrants

• Special Immigrant Visa holders from Iraq & Afghanistan

• Certified victims of severe forms of trafficking

• Certain Amerasians

• Afghan Humanitarian Parolees

• Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees

• Individuals designated as eligible by the director of ORR

Office of Refugee Resettlement
(ORR)
Eligible individuals:

Matching Grant (MG)

Funding source (Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) passthrough Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC).

The Matching Grant Program goal is to help eligible clients attain self-sufficiency within 240 days after date of eligibility for Matching Grant services, without accessing public assistance. Clients receive transitional cash assistance up to 120 days.

Employment is one of the most critical steps for refugees in order to achieve self-sufficiency. Matching Grant assists recently arrived refugees find employment through skills assessment and referrals, job placement, skills training and post-placement follow-up.

Preferred Communities Programs

The Preferred Communities program is designed to support refugees with extensive barriers to self-sufficiency
and who need intensive medical or well-being support.

This program primarily assists single mothers, youth without parents, seniors who lack family support, LGBT individuals, and those with mental health and medical needs.

GAPS Preferred Communities Program

Our Gaps Services department provides crucial assistance to newcomers who arrived through humanitarian parole, many of whom are supported by family and friends who sponsored their applications.

We offer expert guidance to both new arrivals and their sponsors, helping them navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration and benefits systems through targeted programs.

Gap Services include Intake, referral, and assistance to Cuban/Haitian entrants and provides services or 90 days to ORR-eligible Cuban/Haitian entrants and other ORR-eligible populations who have not received R&P services.

Ukrainians granted humanitarian parole (UPH) after February 24, 2022, are now eligible for services and assistance through a new 90-day program from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement through organizations like ECDC Houston Multicultural Center.

Services include:
· Emergency housing support
· Work authorization application assistance
· Public benefits assistance
· Medical screening and referrals
· Employment services

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHP) Preferred Communities

The program offers tailored case management, mental health services, and access to specialized resources to help these individuals overcome challenges and build a stable, productive life in their new community.

Important Assistance

Have guidance on navigating complex forms and service requests.

An Opportunity to Gather

Cultural Orientation gatherings to help navigate the city and local systems.

HMC has Interpreters for over 80 languages available.

Interpreters