Hello Neighbors! Investigations of Housing and Social Cohesion of Afghan Refugees in the United States
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Date
2025-02-24
Authors
Chaiwat, Pamanee
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Resettlement gives refugees a chance to restart and gain a normal life in a foreign land. For Afghan refugees, however, their unfamiliarity to American culture and norms, negative media portrayal, or perceived competition for limited resources may cause them to be socially isolated and bring about perceptions of otherness among neighbors. This may result in lowering neighborhood efficacy or community cohesion. While social cohesion has been gaining more ground in academic migration research in the last decade, limited research has paid attention to resettlement countries. To date, there is no published study on social cohesion in U.S. refugee-receiving cities. This leaves an underexplored gap of understanding regarding the spatial impact on social life and social cohesion in U.S. resettlement communities. In this examination, I employ a mixed-method approach including document analysis, interviews, surveys, and observations. I present two case studies: Sacramento, CA and Eugene, OR focusing on the housing experiences and social life of Afghan refugees. The framework is built upon theories of social cohesion in conjunction with refugee integration and the built environment. The investigation is centered around space and spatial qualities that promote social interactions and the relationships among community members.
This study seeks to determine how refugees make their presence in everyday residential and public spaces. The findings suggest that 1) a sense of belonging, privacy and control, and perceived crowding are key attributes of living places that promote both intergroup and intragroup interactions on daily basis; and 2) increased freedom of mobility has resulted in a dispersed residential pattern which positively associates with improved spatial integration. Ultimately, this study provides data-driven suggestions on housing and socio-spatial transformations for a refugee-receiving city.
Description
Keywords
Afghan refugees, refugee housing, refugee interactions, social cohesion, social connections, U.S. refugee resettlement