Positive Action in Housing has launched a free, interactive, online resource: Tackling Racist Incidents - A Toolkit for Scottish Housing Providers available at www.challengeracism.com

The toolkit is the result of Positive Action in Housing's collaborative work with new migrant, refugee, asylum seeker and minority ethnic communities who have experienced racial harassment and a working party of housing providers. 

The toolkit and its guidance are clear and user friendly offering:

• practical advice
• an overview of responsibilities and best practice examples
• model policies
• template forms
• current legislation

It will assist workers in housing associations and advice centres to support victims of racial harassment against a framework of accepted best practice. It will help those dealing directly with tenants and service users who are experiencing racial harassment as well as offering a resource for those working at a strategic and policy level when planning services and setting standards of customer care.

The toolkit emphasizes the importance of taking a zero tolerance response to harassment, proposes a victim centered approach and urges landlords to target perpetrators effectively whilst supporting victims.

Through it, Positive Action in Housing gives information on the chronic under-reporting of racial harassment and offers practical advice on making your stance clear, working in partnership and building trust; all key to uncovering and dealing effectively with racial harassment.

Although focused on racial harassment this guidance sets a standard to be used by landlords with responsibility to work toward eliminating all hate crime.

The toolkit has been widely praised and well received by many, including, most importantly, Scottish Housing Providers. Oaktree Housing Association commented

"The website was excellent - clear, informative and easy to find specific information. The whole tone is very positive and practical."

The Equality and Human Rights Commission called the toolkit:

"An excellent resource because it is so practical and obviously comes from the grassroots"

The full toolkit, information poster and other best practice resources are available at www.challengeracism.com

For paper copies of posters, to discuss training on tackling racist incidents or further guidance in taking action please contact Positive Action in Housing on 0141 353 2220 or through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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