General FAQ

How can I contact SOS?

You can send us an email at shelterourstudents@gmail.com with any questions you might have. If you would prefer to talk to one of our team members over the phone, you can leave your phone number in your email and we will call you as soon as we are available.

How can I help SOS?

You can always help us by joining the initiative! We are calling and matching students with hosts and organizing actions all the time, and we can use all the help we can get. If you feel like helping out as well, then please consider signing up here

How can I keep up to date with SOS?

You can join our update Whatsapp group. In this group, only the admins can send messages so you will not receive spam, but only occasional updates from us. You can join through this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Io6p49rgWJg2vNj41VMMiy . You can also follow our instagram at @shelterourstudents

Host FAQ

Is Shelter Our Students liable for any damages?

No, hosting someone is at your own risk. However, if you would like us to place them somewhere else, we can do that. You are not obliged to host anyone longer than you want. We also do not do dispute resolution.

Is it possible to meet the student before inviting them to my house?

Yes, this is possible. We have a temporary office where you can get coffee with us and the student beforehand. If you would like to make use of this, just get in touch with us and we will see when the office is available.

Can I charge rent?

No, we are a mutual aid program. You cannot charge rent through us. However, you can ask for a small compensation for costs you make by hosting them. You will need to arrange this with the student themself.

How long will I need to host someone?

We would like people to at least host someone for a week. How long you host someone stays with you, is entirely up to you. If you want them to leave earlier than expected that is completely understandable. We’ll try to find a new place for them. While staying with you the students will keep trying to find a permanent place and they will leave when they find something.

Do I need to be home all the time?

No, you don’t have to be home all the time. They can stay there without you. Most hosts give their student a spare key.

How does the matching process work?

We do not do background checks of the students. We only provide the basic information they provided to us. If you want to know more you can call or email them and ask them yourself. If you feel like it is not a good match, then we will try to find someone else for you.

Is it a problem if I live far away from the city?

No, this is not a problem. These students need to find a place, so there is no time to be picky. If you live in Haren or Leeuwarden for example, then this is not a problem. Just let us know, so the students are aware of this.

FAQ for students looking for emergency housing

Can SOS provide me permanent housing?

No, we can’t provide you with permanent housing. We can only match you with a local who can give you a temporary place to stay. This can be in the form of a spare couch or a spare room or even an air mattress on the ground.

Will I need to pay rent?

No, you will not need to pay if you find a place through us. We are a mutual aid program. However, some hosts will ask you to pay a small compensation for the costs they make by housing you.

Do I need to keep looking for a permanent place to stay?

Yes, this is a temporary place to stay. So when you have found a place you will go there and you will not stay with your host. You need to keep searching for a place to stay.

How does the matching process work?

We’ll call you to ask if you still need emergency housing. Then we will search for a host for you. After this we will give you contact details of the host and you can arrange a time and place to meet.

Can I get a place together with my partner/friend?

We will try to find a place for the both of you, but we can’t promise we will find anything. If we can’t find anything we will try to find seperate places for you.