Chris Friesen and Immigrant Services Society of B.C.

Syrian refugees: That range is really where we need it," he said, according to CBC. Lives on hold Housing is just one of the things for which refugees might have to wait. So far, out of nearly 680 government-assisted refugees, only three families have been settled into permanent homes, said Chris Friesen with Immigrant Services Society of B.C. Although the ISSofBC has over 1,110 housing leads, he says the challenge is "the families are larger than we anticipated." Finding refuge: Syrian arrivals prepare for a new life English course wait lists a "huge issue" for Syrian refugees The average size of a refugee family is six, Friesen said, while the majority of the housing offers have been for shared living or basement suites that would not be appropriate for larger families. "We've very short of larger, permanent housing accommodations for five to eight family members. As B.C. prepares to welcome at least 2,400 Syrian refugees by the end of February, advocates say they could face long waits for essential English language courses that would help them secure employment. Although the hotels and temporary housing stays are covered by the government, it still concerning to refugees such as Hassam Abousalleh. ISSofBC says it wants to permanently settle 20 or more families over the next few days, primarily in the Tri Cities area, and has hired a team of housing search workers specifically to get families settled. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.