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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Briefing Paper 1
Black and minority ethnic employment in social housing
Black and minority ethnic staff are underrepresented in the social housing sector, particularly at senior officer and management levels. This can have a knock on effect on the provision of appropriate services, and the prevention of racist discrimination. This paper oulines methods to increase diversity in the housing workforce, including positive action in recruitment and retention; regulation and legislation; management and leadership techniques; and increased representation on steering groups and boards. Work is also needed to increase representation amongst contractors, suppliers and consultants employed in the sector.
Author(s): Ronny Flynn
[Briefing Paper]

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The drivers of black and Asian people’s perceptions of racial discrimination by public services: A qualitative study
Gervais, M., Department for Communities and Local Government, January 2008
This study uses qualitative methods, such as individual in-depth interviews, to examine perceptions of racial discrimination in public services by black and minority ethnic people.  Considering factors such as personal beliefs and level of awareness, the report pinpoints the most influential drivers of perceived racism and considers how these might be used to improve services for black minority ethnic service users.  Although the report covers 8 major areas of public services, Chapter 5 covers the perception of discrimination in housing organisations in detail.
[Housing Resource]

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Migrants, minorities and housing: Exclusion, discrimination and anti-discrimination in 15 member states of the European Union
Harrison, M. , Law, I. and Phillips, D., European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, December 2005
This report provides a cross-comparative study of discrimination against black and minority ethnic groups in 15 EU countries, considering similarities and differences in housing disadvantage across the member states.  Barriers to accommodation include refusal based on skin colour, restrictive rules or regulations or violence and harassment to physically exclude some individuals. The report also highlights the differences in the data available from member states, and draws attention to shortfalls in formal monitoring as a basis for policy in some countries.
[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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Social housing allocation and immigrant communities
Rutter, J. and Latorre, M., ippr, Equality and Human Rights Commission, 2009
This report examines the allocation of social housing in England, considering whether there is any basis to persistent media reports indicating that migrants receive priority over non-migrants. Analysing a range of quantitative and qualitative evidence, including the 2001 Census, local authority policies and the results of focus groups, the report outlines some of the drivers of social housing allocation and also the background to perceived distortions in allocation policy.
[Housing Resource]

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Department of Communities and Local Government- Race Research and Statistics
The Communities and Local Government- Race Research and Statistics website provides access to a number of reports relating to race, including some touching on ethnicity and housing issues.
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Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance - Housing
Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance (GARA) is a multi-agency social inclusion partnership (SIP) established to tackle the social exclusion of young people caused by racism in the city of Glasgow. A collection of their papers on housing is available here.
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Housing Corporation, The
The Housing Corporation was a national Government agency which funded affordable housing and regulated housing associations in England.  Although replaced by the Tenant Services Association and Homes and Communities Agency on 30 November 2008, the Housing Corporation website remains a useful source of publications.
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Institute of Race Relations
With a dedicated section on racist violence and harassment, this website offers a range of practical information, including a round-up of news reporting on racist incidents, research articles and commentary from a community perspective.
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Irish Traveller Movement in Britain
The Irish Traveller Movement in Britain (ITMB) was established in November 1999 as a second tier community development charity, following the recognition of a gap in service provision and the marginalisation of the Irish Traveller community living in Britain.The organisation became independent of its parent organisation BIAS in 2002 and successfully gained charitable status as a national community development, policy and voice organisation in 2003.
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Lemos and Crane
Lemos and Crane develops and disseminates knowledge and innovation on social policy through research, websites and conferences. BMEspark; HousingActionNet and RaceActionNet are three of their useful resources which are available through paid-for subscriptions.
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Monitoring Group, The
The Monitoring Group helps victims of racial violence and harassment across the UK, undertaking casework, offering a freephone helpline conducting a trauma and therapy project. The website offers a range of useful information and links.
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PATH Scotland
PATH Scotland is a skills development agency which seeks to address the under-representation and inequalities of Black and Minority Ethnic groups in management and professions through the provision of innovative training, good career opportunities, motivation and support to individuals and organisations wishing to create a workforce that reflects our diverse communities.
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Positive Action Training in Housing England (PATH)
PATH National Ltd is a skills development agency which seeks to address the under-representation and inequalities of Black and Minority Ethnic groups in management and professions through the provision of innovative training, good career opportunities, motivation and support to individuals and organisations wishing to create a workforce that reflects our diverse communities.
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Support Against Racist Incidents (SARI)
Based in Bristol, SARI is a voluntary black-led agency run by people who have suffered racial harassment. The service aims to support and empower victims of racial harassment and to ensure that racial incidents receive a co-ordinated response from statutory and voluntary agencies.
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