Briefing Paper 13
Monitoring the ethnicity of housing service users: forty years of progress?
It is 40 years since ethnic monitoring in housing services was first recommended, but this paper suggests that true monitoring is in decline. Whilst basic sources of information are available, practitioners do not appear to be putting them in context. The key issue for housing services is to ‘get beyond frontline figures to actually identify, explain and (consequently) act on any potential areas of concern that may emerge’.
Author(s): Adrian Jones
[Briefing Paper]

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Briefing Paper 7
Rural minority ethnic experiences: housing and health
This briefing examines the experience of black and minority ethnic (BME) service users based in rural areas. With most BME groups traditionally based in urban settings, potential barriers to access and use of services consistently emerge in rural contexts, including poor access to advice and information; language and communication difficulties; and lack of culturally sensitive services and investment in capacity building. With poor monitoring practices in many areas, the association between ethnicity and 'non-White' individuals means that the needs of other groups, including A8 migrants, can often go unnoticed.
Author(s): Philomena de Lima
[Briefing Paper]

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Briefing Paper 5
Black and minority ethnic user participation in housing
Emphasis on user participation in the housing sector has risen, yet in spite of this, the involvement of African, Asian and African Caribbean tenants in councils and housing associations seems to be limited. This is of particular concern given that these communities are more likely to experience poor housing conditions, overcrowding, homelessness and racism and to have specific housing needs arising from larger family sizes and cultural practices. This paper argues that providers should look at how appropriate support can encourage participation from black and minority ethnic tenants, rather than assuming they are ‘hard to reach’. To make involvement meaningful to tenants, they also need to be shown how their participation can influence the services provided, and monitoring and follow-up are essential.
Author(s): Tracey Bignall
[Briefing Paper]

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Briefing Paper 4
Housing choice and racist hostility
Extending housing choice for black and minority ethnic households requires consideration of racial discrimination, social and economic inequality and household needs, preferences and aspirations. Increased opportunities for the expression of housing choice in new lettings systems has improved the choices of location open to black and minority ethnic households, but there is mixed evidence of impact. Tackling racist hostility and reducing this constraint on housing choice requires renewed work around a ‘Racism Reduction’ agenda, at an individual, local and national level, together with significant improvements in victim support and enforcement.
Author(s): Ian Law
[Briefing Paper]

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Briefing Paper 2
Racist harassment and housing services
Although official figures indicate that racist harassment is decreasing, many incidents are reported only at a crisis point when abuse can no longer be tolerated. To support victims effectively social landlords have to ensure that they understand the victim’s perspective and can use a range of codes of practice, good practice guidelines and resources to help them respond to racist incidents.
Author(s): Kusminder Chahal
[Briefing Paper]

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Housing and disabled children
Beresford, B. and Rhodes, D., Joseph Rowntree Foundation, June 2008
Although not focussing exclusively on black and minority ethnic families, this study provides a review of literature and research relating to the housing circumstances of families caring for a disabled child.
[Housing Resource]

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The advice gap: A study of barriers to housing advice for black and minority ethnic communities
Radebe, D., Shelter, January 2007
This study investigates the ways that black and minority ethnic service users access housing advice.  It also considers obstacles to service provision, and the impact that age, language skills and method of advice-giving can have upon service provision.
[Housing Resource]

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Empowering communities, improving housing: Involving black and minority ethnic tenants and communities
Mullins, D., Beider, H., and Rowlands, R., Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, June 2004
This report provides good practice guidance on increasing participation by black and minority ethnic tenants, outlining barriers which local authorities may face, such as racism or limited community cohesion.  Attention is also given to key strategies for engagement, such as consultancy, employment and training or tenant involvement on boards or tenants' associations.
[Housing Resource]

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Black and minority ethnic housing associations: The challenge of growth and viability
The Housing Corporation, Source Research 69, October 2003
This report considers the success of black and minority ethnic housing associations, comparing with a selection of non-BME housing associations to see the extent to which they faced similar problems.  The study highlights factors which have enabled some associations to develop successfully, whilst others experience problems.
[Housing Resource]

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An evaluation of how RSLs meet the needs of black and minority ethnic communities
The Housing Corporation, Source Research 50, February 2001
This study investigates the race equality policies of registered social landlords, and follows up the data they have given through interviews with black and minority ethnic tenant focus groups.
[Housing Resource]

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Minority ethnic families caring for a severely disabled child (executive summary)
Chamba, R. et al, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, May 1999
This study aims to fill the gap in research relating to the housing circumstances of black and minority ethnic families caring for a disabled child, considering issues such as housing conditions, overcrowding and levels of formal and informal support.  It finds that, with few exceptions, minority ethnic families are much more disadvantaged than white families.
[Housing Resource]

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The Housing Corporation's BME housing policy: Assessing its impact
Hann, C. and Bowes, E., Managing Diversity Associates, Housing Corporation, 2004
This report considers the Housing Corporation's Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Policy, assessing how successfully it fulfilled 22 commitments for action which included amongst others, recruiting and supporting BME staff, increasing tenant participation and meeting the needs of BME communities.
[Housing Resource]

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