Greater Together Manchester’s Refugee Lodgings Project has been up and running across GM since November 2025 and they wanted to share the stories of the landlords and lodgers who have taken part so far.
Landlord 1
A priest in Greater Manchester since 2017 who has always had lodgers. He is fluent in German and was a competitive ballroom dancer. Over the course of nine months, he took in three lodgers as part of this project.
‘The lodgers were respectful, reliable, gracious, and generous. It was immensely reassuring to know that in the event of a concern or issue, I could contact Greater Together Manchester.’
Since the placement, he has pursued his dream of moving to Germany.
Lodger 1
A 34-year-old refugee from Ethiopia who became homeless once having to leave his Home Office accommodation.
‘The most memorable part of the placement was my first Christmas lunch with my landlord; it was joyful and a new experience!’
Since the placement, he has secured his own accommodation and is living with his daughter who has joined him in the UK.
Lodger 2
A 25-year-old refugee from Sudan who became homeless once having to leave his Home Office accommodation.
‘My experience in the property was great; the landlord was very nice. I received enough support from Greater Together Manchester during my placement.’
Since the placement he has moved into a house share and is learning to drive. He has also enrolled in college and volunteers for FareShare.
Lodger 3
A 26-year-old refugee from Sudan who became homeless once having to leave his Home Office accommodation.
‘The most positive part was having a safe and supportive place to stay while becoming more settled in
Manchester. The support available during the placement was also helpful.’
Since the placement, he has moved into a flat share with a friend and is preparing to study a master’s
in biomedical science.
If you have a spare room in Salford, you could make a real difference to someone starting a new life in
the UK. By opening your home with the support of Greater Together Manchester, you can offer safety,
stability, and a solid foundation for someone rebuilding their life in the UK.
More information: Refugee Lodgings Project: Become a Resident Landlord
lodgings@greatertogethermanchester.org