PATHS Project
Our mission is to connect people with housing opportunities, through collaboration, transparency and trusted partnerships.
The PATHS Project (Providing Assistance for Transitioning Housing Solutions) funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), is a pilot initiative implemented in France, Greece, and Belgium to promote access to long-term housing for beneficiaries of international and temporary protection.
The project seeks to prevent homelessness by supporting beneficiaries and the organizations that guide them toward stable, independent housing, while actively involving key stakeholders from the housing market.
Over a three-year period (November 2024 – November 2027), PATHS will work towards three main pilars.
Who We Are
Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is part of the United Nations system and the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. With 175 member states and offices in over 170 countries, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all.
IOM Worldwide
IOM supports migrants worldwide, advises governments on migration policy and practice, and works with a wide range of partners to strengthen the resilience of people on the move, especially those in vulnerable situations.
IOM France
IOM France supports migrants and refugees through resettlement and relocation programmes, as well as through national and transnational projects focused on awareness-raising and direct assistance. Its work addresses in particular the prevention of human trafficking, climate mobility, and the integration of refugees through labour mobility and access to housing, while fostering cooperation between French authorities and international partners.
IOM Lyon
Opened in March 2025 for a period of 3 years, the Lyon office is fully dedicated to the PATHS project. The two local project officers work closely with NGOs, institutional partners, and private stakeholders to enhance the refugees’ access to housing and mobility within the region.
Our Approach
Pillar 1
Develop a digital matching platform connecting private landlords with self-reliant refugee tenants, facilitating access to sustainable rental opportunities.
Pillar 2
Build and coordinate a regional network of organizations engaged in refugee housing to foster collaboration and synergy across stakeholders in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Pillar 3
Raise awareness among real estate professionals, private sector companies and the general public to promote equal access to the rental market for all.
Our main milestones
September 2025 - January 2026
Development and launch of Paths2homes.fr platform.
January 2026 – April 2027
Organization of 10 workshops to exchange best practices.
March 2026 – November 2027
Implementation of 10 awareness-raising sessions.
March 2026 – February 2027
Launch of a public audiovisual campaign for a more inclusive housing market.
- 200 rental listings published on the platform.
- 100 beneficiaries accessing sustainable housing through the project
Our Team
Get In Touch
FAQ’s
Here are some common ones:
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Who can use this platform?
The platform is primarily intended for: Beneficiaries of international protection and temporary protection looking for housing. Housing support organizations, agencies, and other stakeholders assisting beneficiaries in finding accommodation Private companies/private landlords who wants to lease their property
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Why rent out to a refugee ?
Refugees benefit from international protection (or temporary protection for Ukrainians) established by the 1951 Geneva Convention and recognized by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons. This grants them a residence permit valid for 4 to 10 years. They have the same social and housing rights as French nationals (social security, CAF/APL, FSL, Visale guarantee, etc.). Refugees are destined to settle permanently in France but encounter many obstacles in their integration process, particularly in accessing long-term housing: language barriers, social ties, landlords' lack of understanding of refugee status, lack of physical guarantors. Because of these obstacles, many refugees have stable jobs but struggle to find long-term housing. PATHS aims to enable them to achieve full autonomy and accelerate their integration into French society through access to housing. Tenants will be identified by partner organizations and their files will be verified by the IOM and vetted by landlords to ensure their solvency and full ability to maintain a home and manage the lease independently.
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Is the service free?
Yes, there are no platform fees for either landlords or tenants. You just need to be registered.
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What kind of housing options are available on PATHS ?
Different types of housings are available on the platform, covering AURA region. The rental agreement will be a direct lease under the 1989 French Tenancy Law, signed between the beneficiary tenant and the property owner, and of a minimum duration of one year. The landlord may receive support from a partner organization through a property management mandate, while the tenant may benefit from housing-related support and guidance provided by a partner organization.
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How can I report abuse ?
All reports are confidential. Your safety and privacy are our top priorities. You can use the following channels to report abuse, ask questions, or share feedback: To report abuse: Online Reporting: Visit We Are All In | IOM to access IOM’s official reporting mechanisms. Virtual Feedback Box: Share your feedback or report concerns through IOM’s Virtual Feedback Box by scanning the QR code
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What are the criteria to register as IP/TP ?
All individuals who have obtained international protection status (refugee or subsidiary protection) or temporary protection (Ukraine) are eligible. There are no criteria regarding the date on which the protection status was granted. As for minimum income requirements, these are determined at the discretion of the landlord and therefore will depend on the specific property for which the tenant applies. The project itself does not impose any income criteria.
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What are the benefit of choosing a housing listing from PATHS ?
The listings are verified and trusted. Listings are designed to be affordable and accessible. The platform is free for beneficiaries, with no hidden fees or commissions. PATHS connects beneficiaries with landlords who support social inclusion and promotes long-term housing solutions.
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What are the benefit for landlords ?
Property owners are making an act of solidarity while maintaining a certain level of profitability for their property, by gaining access to a new pool of financially and administratively independent prospective tenants. Each tenant file is verified and authenticated via Dossier Facile. Landlords retain direct control by offering a direct lease and selecting their own tenant from the applications received on the platform. Both parties are supported through the process by the IOM and it’s partner organizations and institutions.
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Can landlord publish their property directly ?
Landlords may publish their listing once the property has been verified by the IOM or a partner organization. Each property is checked before being published on the website.
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How can social workers sign up for PATHS ?
Social workers can register on the site once the organization they belong to is a partner organization. If so, they will have received a registration form. If not, they can request access via our online registration form.
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What kind of housing options are available on PATHS ?
The rental agreement will be a direct lease under the 1989 French Tenancy Law, signed between the beneficiary tenant and the property owner, and of a minimum duration of one year. The landlord may receive support from a partner organization through a property management mandate, while the tenant may benefit from housing-related support and guidance provided by a partner organization.
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What kind of housing options are available on PATHS ?
The rental agreement will be a direct lease under the 1989 French Tenancy Law, signed between the beneficiary tenant and the property owner, and of a minimum duration of one year. The landlord may receive support from a partner organization through a property management mandate, while the tenant may benefit from housing-related support and guidance provided by a partner organization.
