Programs that assign a staff member to assist people who are looking for housing to survey the available residences and to choose and obtain the most suitable option.

Programs that provide assistance for non-citizens who are having difficulty understanding, accessing, and/or are unaware of government-sponsored entitlement programs and social services for which they are eligible including housing programs, employment assistance and job training, medical assistance, and other government entitlements. The program may help these individuals understand the eligibility criteria for benefits and services, the benefits/services available, the payment process and the rights of beneficiaries; provide consultation and advice; help them complete application forms; negotiate on their behalf with benefits administration and social service staff; and/or represent them in administrative processes or judicial litigation. Included are benefits counseling organizations that offer a range of advocacy services and legal aid programs that offer more formalized legal assistance.

Programs that help newly arrived immigrants and immigrant families make an adjustment to their new home and community. Services may include reception for arriving immigrants; provision of a "welcome kit" of immediate necessities and information; cultural orientation and ESL classes; and assistance in locating housing and employment, using public transportation and identifying other needed services.

Individuals from other countries who have come to the United States to live permanently.

Individuals who have fled their native country and have been given official permission by the government to settle permanently in another country. In the United States, refugee status is given to people who are outside their country of nationality and who are unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on the individuals' race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. Entrant status allows the individual to remain in the U.S., but does not confer true "refugee" status. Asylees are refugees who apply for this status while already in the U.S. (on student or tourist visas, for example).

Individuals whose nationality, ethnic background and cultural ancestry are those of one of the countries and peoples of the continent of Africa.

Individuals who are either citizens of Ethiopia or who identify themselves as part of the Ethiopian community. Ethiopia is a country in east Africa. The official language is Amharic.

Individuals who identify themselves as part of the Somali community. Somalia is a country in east Africa, although without any effective national government due to lengthy civil war. Breakaway governments operate in Somaliland and Puntland. The official language is Somali.