London’s housing shortage is a major factor contributing to the persistent social exclusion faced by many of the city’s black and ethnic minority (BME) residents, the London Housing Federation warned today.

In a letter to Darra Singh, chair of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, which was established in the aftermath of the July 2005 bombings, Berwyn Kinsey, head of the London Housing Federation, highlighted the divisive effect on communities of competing for resources such as social housing.

London is one of the most diverse cities on earth: 29 per cent of the population are from BME communities. It is estimated that 80 per cent of the working-age people who move to London over the coming decade will be from BME groups.

A new report from the London Housing Federation, A tale of two cities: Building community cohesion in London, brings together evidence of the on-going disadvantage suffered by some of the capital’s BME communities in a range of areas. For example:

·        More than half the households accepted as homeless in London are from BME groups.

·        People from BME backgrounds are more likely than average to have high levels of worry about crime.

·        People from BME backgrounds are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as their white counterparts.

·        Four out of five Bangladeshi and Black African households in London would be unable to buy a home without subsidy.

·        Thirty-five per cent of London’s BME households are overcrowded, compared with 12 per cent of White British households.

The report, which has been submitted to the Commission as evidence, includes case studies of how housing associations are working to redress this disadvantage. For example, Notting Hill Housing runs a scheme which helps people from BME groups find work in construction. Pathmeads Housing Association runs a neighbourhood warden scheme in Hackney which has significantly reduced residents’ fear of crime. Kush Housing Association operates a scheme which helps young African-Caribbean men with mental health problems enter education, training and employment. Community Housing Group and Bangla Housing Association are working together to build larger homes suitable for extended families in Islington’s Bangladeshi community.

Berwyn Kinsey, head of the London Housing Federation, said:

“London’s diversity is one of its great strengths and a cause for celebration. However, it’s clear that some Londoners suffer persistent social exclusion, and this can be a cause of divisions and conflict in communities, particularly where people feel they are poorly treated by public services or cannot access scarce resources, such as housing.

“We hope the Commission will recognise the importance of affordable housing in building successful communities, and also the key role housing associations have to play in delivering affordable housing and neighbourhood services, targeted to combat social inequality.”