Scottish Homes Race Equality Policy - Reviewed

May 21, 2001

The main problem with Scottish Homes' Race Equality Policy is that it is a collection of vague and difficult-to-monitor intentions, devoid of a specific and costed strategy. There is no mention of exactly how much development money will be used for unmet BME housing needs or when a designated senior race equality officer will be recruited. The action plan (2001/04) states one of its policy objectives is the 'empowerment of people from BME communities by enabling them to achieve greater control over their own housing'. Scottish Homes says it will 'work closely with representatives of BME communities' in reviewing and developing policy at national and regional level. Scottish Homes would also establish formal liaison arrangements between its Racial Equality Implementation Group and external organisations by April 2001. Firstly, there is no such group or individual that 'represents' BME communities. This policy fails to recognise this crucial fact throughout. Secondly, despite being a Scottish-wide race & housing charity, Positive Action in Housing (PAIH) was never sent a copy of the Race Equality Policy and only heard of the policy being launched from a journalist. As for formal liaison, we received one brief call last month inquiring about our interest in taking part, nothing since. This is surely not what you call a full engagement strategy with BME housing interest groups. The policy refers to the Race Relations Amendment Act and its introduction of clear, enforceable duties to develop a proactive and positive approach. Yet, the action plan appears to ignore the new Act, favouring monitoring over radical positive action measures to recruit BME workers to its long under-representative and predominantly white workforce. There is no reference to punitive measures against Registered Social Landlords who do not perform well under the policy. What Scottish Homes does commit to is seedcorn funding for one BME-led RSL. How long before they commit to actually registering and funding one? Access Apna Ghar, a steering group aiming to become Scotland's first BME-led housing association, is awaiting Scottish Homes' decision about its seedcorn application right now. Watch this space. On a more positive note, the Scottish Executive commissioned report "Review of Funding for black and minority ethnic groups in the voluntary sector" accurately reflects the position of BME organisations. Lack of start-up money and stable funding are identified, also that mainstreaming could further exclude groups: Statutory and voluntary organisations who act as conduits for funding should examine their practices to ensure that existing institutional barriers to applications from BME groups are removed, and a more pro-active approach must be taken. Further, funding should be provided strategically, and there should be support for capacity building in black and minority ethnic organisations. We hope that the report's recommendations are accepted, but it is vital that the review fully involves BME organisations to avoid any missed opportunities. ENDS

Robina Qureshi
Ricardo Rea
Positive Action in Housing
467 words