Black And Minority Ethnic Communities And Homelessness In The United Kingdom: 2000-2006

Homelessness is always up high on the British housing policy agenda and there is plenty of evidence that a disproportionate number of people affected by homelessness come from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. This paper seeks to provide a general picture of homelessness among BME communities and use of homelessness services in these communities, by drawing on qualitative and quantitative research conducted in Scotland by Scottish Executive~1, Survey of English Housing~2, English House Condition Survey~3 done by Commission of Social Equality in England, and homelessness data in relevant literature.First, the author provides an opinion about understanding of homelessness across and within BME communities. Second, the author considers some of the major factors that contribute to homelessness in black and minority ethnic communities as a basis for considering the level and type of support needed. Third, informal support and formal homelessness services available to BME communities facing homelessness are examined. After that, the author suggests several ways to develop culturally sensitive homelessness services, policies and strategies, including (a) the need to get rid of the discrimination and the stereotype when evaluate the housing need of BME communities by providing staff training and ethnic monitoring; (b) the need for cooperation of mainstream and specialist BME service and multi-agency working; (c) the need for involvement of BME communities in housing polices and strategies.