Election Plea For BME Housing Associations

BMENational wants cross-party commitments to back BME housing associations that work in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the country. “We have identified four areas where government action is urgently needed: ageing well, ending homelessness, equality of opportunity, and thriving and diverse cities,” said chair of BMENational, Cym D’Souza. “We call upon all parties to commit to support our aims and help us work together in addressing the challenges faced in our communities,” she said. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/election-plea-for-bme-housing-associations/

Report Finds Housing Race Inequalities

Stark racial disadvantages and discrimination still exist in housing despite a raft of reforms since the 1960s. A report commissioned by BME National found that the housing circumstances for BME groups are “less favourable” than for white people, highlighting particular disparities in homeownership.  Looking at national Census data, the report found that just 46% of BME groups own their own home compared to 64.4% of groups from white backgrounds. It highlighted data from the CLG showing that 37% of households accepted as homeless were BME households, up from 18% in 1998. Yet, according to the latest Census data, white ethnic groups currently make up 85.6% of the total population in England. Download a copy of the report from the BME National website.

Giving a Voice to the Social Housing Community

So much change has taken place across the social housing industry recently that tenants as well as housing organisations have been left feeling rather bewildered. Cym D’Souza, new chair of BMENational and chief executive of Arawak Walton Housing Association, discusses which way the industry should turn in addressing the needs of residents and communities. Read more on the CIH website.