Housing and migration

This programme aims to:

• test ways of building shared understandings of the housing needs and aspirations of the 'community' as a whole in neighbourhoods experiencing demographic change as a result of new migration;
• review existing innovation and good practice in meeting the housing needs and aspirations of households in neighbourhoods experiencing new immigration, with an emphasis on community-driven approaches;
• test the capacity for new and settled groups to engage in discussions about housing needs, housing aspirations, neighbourhood change and key areas of housing policy through community forums;
• identify innovative community-driven approaches to building a shared understanding of housing needs and aspirations in communities experiencing neighbourhood change.

Key issues

• Whilst the 'super-diversity' resulting from recent migration presents new policy and practice challenges, the nature of long-established communities is also changing. Some are experiencing new forms of discrimination, while others fulfil aspirations that are very similar to those of equivalent white communities.
• Housing is critical to the welfare and integration of new migrants. Most migrants live in the private rented sector - many enduring poor or insecure accommodation. Policy has not responded to these poor conditions and their wider impact on neighbourhoods. It has in fact shifted away from a 'neighbourhood' focus in community cohesion work.
• Policy should recognise that two groups in particular - asylum seekers/refugees and many Muslim people - feel discriminated against. A radical change of language and policy is needed at central Government level to address this.
• Policy on funding of minority groups should recognise the need for services targeted at new migrants and for work targeted at isolated groups within longer-established communities. There is also a need for targeted community development work in many 'white' communities.
• Further investigation is needed into 'what works' in creating more cohesive communities, and why some communities are more cohesive than others.

Overview

Building Shared Visions of Housing Futures in Bradford by Dr Deborah Phillips University of Leeds
Due for publication: Autumn 2010

This participatory research project is using community-led forums in Bradford in order to test the capacity for new and settled groups to engage in discussions about housing needs, housing aspirations, neighbourhood change and key areas of housing policy through community forums. It aims to identify key strategies that manage housing needs in the context of new immigration and neighbourhood change.

Housing and Migration Network by Heather Petch
Due for publication: Winter 2011

This two year network has been established by Housing Associations' Charitable Trust (hact), JRF and Metropolitan Housing Partnership to improve the housing and places where new migrant communities live. Outcomes will be set by a diverse membership of 20 senior policy influencers, practitioners and people with lived experience in new and longer-term communities. The network will focus on new migration streams of all types and will examine housing issues across all tenures including relevant housing and neighbourhood policy and practice issues. It is an independent, time limited initiative drawing on UK wide experience but with an England focus.