For Migrant Women in Colombia, Rental Support Brings Stability

In the second decade of the Venezuelan economic crisis, more than 7.1 million people have left the country. Over 2.5 million of them are living next door in Colombia, seeking stability, safety, and opportunity. Of those in Colombia, half of them are women. Coming with children, elderly parents, and other family members, Venezuelan women have a world of responsibility on their shoulders.

In the third year of our Acogida program, our team is helping Venezuelans find stability through our rental support initiative. We provide nine months of rental support so that participants—the majority of whom are women—can secure a safe place to live, creating the space to focus on their families, education, and careers.

Read more about the Acogida program’s rental support initiative, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

Four women living in the cities of Barranquilla and Soledad, each with different aspirations for the future, are experiencing the change that comes with stability. Whether they’re seeing a financial, emotional, or social shift in their lives, they all agree that the rental support program has altered the course of their migration journeys.



Explore the women's stories

Carla

Carla and her husband left Venezuela to seek a better life in Colombia. Now, they have two little girls and have lived in Barranquilla for four years. At first, they struggled to find stable work and safe housing. While living in an informal settlement, a landslide devastated the neighborhood and left them homeless. That’s when Carla connected with Blumont for rental support. In their new home, the girls can play outside on the front patio. Carla’s priority is to keep her children safe and shield them from the hardships she endured. With the money they save on rent, the family is investing in a barbering career for Carla’s husband and paying for the girls’ schooling. They are building a foundation for a brighter future.

Carmen

Carmen worked for many years as a nurse in Venezuela. When life there no longer felt feasible, she fled to Colombia with her daughter and four grandchildren. However, she left behind her career and with it her financial stability. When she heard about the rental support program, she applied so she could put a roof over her family’s head. She and her daughter soon started their own home-based clothing store with the money they saved and also secured temporary protective status in Colombia. As the nine months of support comes to an end, Carmen plans to stay in her house since she can afford to pay rent. She and her family are finally putting down roots in their adopted home.

Diana

Diana moved to Colombia seven years ago with her husband and children. Fleeing the desperate conditions of Venezuela, they sought a better life in Soledad, where they were welcomed by a diverse community. When the Acogida program came to her neighborhood, Diana got involved in as many activities as she could. The family was granted nine months of rental support that helped them secure safe housing. With rent covered, Diana and her husband started a business selling food and baked goods out of their home. The business, called “Delicias Diana,” is now well-known in the area. The family feels more secure now that they have employment, a stable place to live, and a supportive community.

Joshira

When it comes to life, Joshira gives it her all. She’s a single mother of five children who is originally Colombian and returned from Venezuela when she couldn’t find work to support her family. Joshira keeps a busy schedule caring for her children, working, and engaging with her community. Her positive attitude and ambition define her, rather than the hardships she’s encountered. However, the resources Acogida provides her have changed her life, from rental support to support groups. With rent paid, she was able to buy appliances like fans and a television for their new home. When the support ends, she plans to extend her lease. She has a sense of stability now, having been able to invest in her career by getting her diploma and taking courses to become a childcare worker. With a smile on her face, Joshira is leading her life with confidence.