EUKN - United Kingdom - Developing good practice for effective community engagement and housing needs assessment for minority ethnic communities

Developing good practice for effective community engagement and housing needs assessment for minority ethnic communities

Introduction

This study summarises research into effective community engagement and housing needs assessment for minority ethnic communities and to develop good practice guidance

Description

In May 2005, Organisational Development and Support, working with Positive Action in Housing and the Grampian Race Equality Council, were commissioned to research effective community engagement and housing needs assessment for minority ethnic communities and to develop good practice guidance.

Background information

In May 2005, Communities Scotland commissioned ODS to undertake a study which would develop guidance for those seeking to engage with minority ethnic communities, and particularly those involved in assessing the housing needs of minority ethnic communities.

The study had two distinct, but related, aims:

to develop a good practice assessment guide or checklist for identifying the housing requirements of minority ethnic communities;
to evaluate and make recommendations for effective consultation and meaningful engagement with minority ethnic communities.

Methodology

To achieve these aims, this study involved:

a desktop review of relevant research and the legislative and policy context;
analysis of the Local Housing Strategies produced by each of the 32 councils in Scotland;
interviews with six local authorities and six housing associations;
interviews with thirteen organisations working with or representing minority ethnic communities;
five discussion groups with people from minority ethnic communities, involving a total of 61 people.

Conclusions

The research shows terminology for expressing ethnicity is a complex and controversial area. Analysis of Local Housing Strategies identified that thirteen councils had included no or out-of-date information on the housing needs of minority ethnic communities. But in some areas specific initiatives and projects had been established.

Many Registered social landlords had taken positive steps to engage with and assess the housing needs of minority ethnic communities, but stressed there was need for a co-ordinated, strategic approach at a local authority level. Many individuals from minority ethnic communities felt that service providers do not listen to their views or complaints.

Contact info

The Scottish Centre for Regeneration
scr@communitiesscotland.gsi.gov.uk

Publication date

Project finished

/11/2005

Researcher

Organisational Development and Support (ODS), working in partnership with Positive Action in Housing and the Grampian Race Equality Council,

Links

Visit the Scottish Centre for Regeneration website

Download the 'Developing good practice for effective community engagement and housing needs assessment for minority ethnic communities' Report (PDF, Eng, 900 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Integration of social groups

Keywords

Ethnic minorities