Many citizens in France are mobilizing to provide shelter for homeless migrants. This form of engagement developed particularly from 2015 onward, and again in 2022 following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, in order to offer concrete housing solutions to people fleeing conflict and seeking protection in Europe, as well as to foster connections with the host society.
In the Lyon area in France, an observatory on citizen hosting brings together several local NGOs that organize accommodation in private homes or shared housing, as well as the provision of independent housing. Alongside these accommodation solutions, these associations make a significant contribution to the social inclusion of those they support in France.
A first study provided a detailed overview of citizen hosting in the Lyon metropolitan area and the Rhône in 2022. The aim of this briefing paper is to offer an update on its development in 2024. It shows that, despite the gradual decline in citizen hosting for people displaced from Ukraine, this form of hospitality toward migrants remains significant.
This study is not the result of a collective process and reflects only the views of its author.
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Citizen Hosting Observatory in the Rhône
Citizen Hosting Observatory in the Rhône
Citizen-based hosting now plays an important role in the reception of migrants. However, it remains largely invisible, and the individuals and groups involved are rarely included in discussions and decision-making processes concerning migrant reception. To address these challenges, Synergies Migrations launched the Citizen Hosting Observatory in the Rhône.