This year, the state of Michigan received over 2,500 refugees from various parts of the world. The Department of State Refugee Reception said state officials predict a 42% surge in the number next year.

Samaritas, a local nonprofit that helps refugees in Kalamazoo, said it’s hard to meet the demand. The nonprofit said refugees are coming from Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq.

Samaritas Chief Advancement and Strategy Officer Kelli Dobner said, “Michigan has always welcomed refugees and immigrants.” She said refugees are leaving their home countries in record numbers to get away from danger and hardship.

Dobner said, “The families who come to us are from terrible situations, people who are running from religious persecution, who are running from nations at war.” Housing is the biggest problem, as interest rates go up and affordable housing goes down in Kalamazoo. Dobner said, “It’s a challenge to have enough housing and the numbers are going up, which makes it even more worrying.”

Dobner said the U.S. government gives $1,100 to refugees when they arrive. But Samaritas has had to put some refugees in hotels for a while in the past year. Dobner said, “That’s what they have to start a life with, it’s hard if you think about rent and the low supply of affordable housing, that could be rent for one month.”

The Department of State Refugee Reception said the state expects 3,675 new arrivals next year. In 2023, Samaritas helped 150 refugees with food, shelter, employment, transportation and medical services. Dobner expects more refugees in 2024, about 220.