988 Syrian refugees have arrived in Hamilton - housing still a top need

Hamilton so far has received 988 government sponsored Syrian refugees almost double the number originally expected by the city's settlement agency.

With arrivals beginning inlate December, 2015, the originalplan was to settle476 refugees by the end of February.

But then that number kept growing,in January to 877 and it increased again recentlyto 992 - tripling the city's annual refugee average of 300.

"Its been an overwhelming task, history in the making. We've not seen this type of influx since theKosovarsettlement."- Daljit Garry, Executive Director, Wesley Urban Ministries

"The influx peaked late January, then was non-stop through the month of February," said Daljit Garry, Executive Director at Wesley Urban Ministries.

The surprise jump in numbershasleft employees at Wesley, the city's settlement agency for refugees,scrambling to find enough support staff to handle the increase, training them on-the-flyand hustling to find sufficient temporary and permanent housing, putting a strain on everyone, including the newcomers.

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"It's been an overwhelming task, history in the making. We've not seen this type of influx since the Kosovar settlement," said Garry.

For therefugees, it's meant longer stays at Wesley's receiving centre or in local hotels. Some are staying in one of three downtown hotelsas long as a month or more.

"The turn around for housing can happen in two weeks," Garry said. But because the number increased so quickly and drastically, there have been longdelays.

So far 400 of the 988 arrivals have secured housing.

"It's about finding affordable housing. The size of families in many instances are quite large - seven to 12 people," said Garry. "You can just imagine that's been challenging for us... finding a place large enough hasn't been easy."

Despite still needing to find and arrange housing for almost 500 more arrivals, Garry is positive about the progress being made.

"We feel good about where we are with housing, recognizing we need to continue to move forward to get people into their new homes," she said. "There is a lot to transition to, a lot happening in a short period of time."

The Wesley numbers only accounts for government-sponsored refugees. There are a number of area churches and groups sponsoring refugee families privately.

Hardy in the snow

Hamilton Mayor FredEisenberger told CBC Hamilton he expected there to be challenges along the way.

"So far I'm pleased with the way this isunfolding. Itcould be better but we're meeting the challenge andI know we're going to be successful," he said.

A welcome event for more than 80 Syrian refugeeswas held Tuesday at City Hall. Eisenberger said he was pleased with the turnout despite the snow storm.

"They are a lot more hardy in the snow than some Canadians," he said. "They were out in numbers andwe had a really great time."

Eisenbergersaid he knows first-hand the stress of arriving to a new country, but the indication on Tuesday was positive. "Some of the refugees spoke expressing their gratitudefor the warm and welcoming reception to Hamilton and Canada."

The Liberals havepledged to resettle another 10,000 government-assistedSyrian refugees by the end of 2016. It is unknown how many more are planned to resettle in Hamilton.