Race Equality Foundation - Development
The housing experiences of black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people
Background
The Government has taken a number of steps to improve the quality of housing available to vulnerable or socially excluded people and communities. However, the evidence from this Housing Corporation funded study in three London boroughs suggests that unless specific attention is paid to the distinct experience of black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people, these initiatives will have little impact on a group experiencing disadvantage and discrimination.
There are around 531,000 black and minority ethnic disabled people of working age compared to around 6.3 million disabled who are 'White'. When age is taken into account, prevalence of disability is higher for all black and minority ethnic communities in comparison to their white counterparts, with the exception of the Chinese community. Also the prevalence of disability is higher for black and minority ethnic women in comparison to men from these communities. National evidence also suggests that black and minority ethnic disabled people are more likely to have lower incomes and are at greater risk of living in 'non decent' homes.
About the study
We carried out six focus groups with 48 service users and carers drawn from three London boroughs: Brent; Camden ; and Waltham Forest. We also carried out six focus groups with service providers from the statutory and voluntary sector, including housing association and housing department staff. In addition, there was a focus group with policy makers. In total 80 service providers participated in these focus groups.
We recruited service users from a range of black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Our youngest service user was 21 years old and the oldest was over 70 years old. We managed to recruit 34 women (including Bangladeshi women) and 14 men. Our service users identified a range of impairments, including people with learning disabilities and eight people with multiple impairments.
Our findings
Some of our participants talked about experiencing racism and discrimination on the grounds of disability with some service users and their carers being clear that their poor experience was due to racism. Others talked about stereotypes about who is disabled (you have to be a wheelchair user to be disabled) leading to discrimination on the grounds of disability. However, while most service users and carers felt that they had been discriminated against and treated differently, they were not always able to assign a cause of this discrimination.
We did find that a number of people had had a positive experience. We also found that this required significant effort on the part of black and minority ethnic disabled people and their carers to achieve this positive outcome. The evidence also suggests that these positive outcomes were associated with individual workers, and sometimes (voluntary) organisations that were aware of the challenges faced by black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people and were willing to act as advocates. In addition, these workers and organisations adopted practices and policies that encouraged effective communication and allowed black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people to identify their needs and then come-up with effective housing and other solutions to the problems that they faced.
For a significant number of the service users and carers, however, their experiences were poor. There were delays in getting their needs assessed and then getting services provided. There were doubts as to whether some workers understood or appreciated the needs of black and minority ethnic disabled and D/dead people. Furthermore, there was a lack of suitable housing in the areas preferred by black and minority ethic disabled and D/deaf people accompanied by confusion on the interpretation of who pays for adaptations between housing associations and the local housing department, even though the Government guidance is clear on this matter.
The consequence was frustration, and black and minority ethnic disabled service users living in overcrowded conditions or inappropriate homes. Importantly this took place in the context of limited new build properties that met the Lifetime Homes and Wheelchair user homes standard. This put a particular emphasis on the role of adaptations and equipment to achieve more appropriate housing.
Our evidence suggests that there is some disagreement about how assessments should be done. Also that there is evidence that a narrow definition, or medical model of disability, is being used. We concluded that getting an effective assessment, which let you articulate your needs and come to a shared view of what support was needed, was a matter of luck rather then design.
It was not clear that some of the new initiatives that were being developed to extend choice and control were going to do so for black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people. The choice based lettings system was in its early stages of implementation in some of our areas, but there was already evidence that disabled people as a whole, and black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people, may not be able to 'compete' on a level playing field.
Importantly, these housing needs were often framed in discussions of having other support needs, including: help with cooking and cleaning; aspects of personal care, such as washing (including being able to access the bathroom); accessing benefits; transport (particularly with shopping); support with accessing paid work; as well as accessing religious events and venues. A number suggested that they had turned down property that was structurally suitable but would mean they were not near their friends and family, or place of worship.
We concluded that there are similarities in the experience of black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people and other black and minority ethnic people. Also that there are similarities with other disabled and D/deaf people. However, the experience of black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people is distinct and the poor experiences of housing will only be resolved if specific action is taken.
Outputs
J Butt and S Dhaliwall (2005) Different Paths: Challenging Services - A study of the housing experiences of black and minority ethnic disabled and D/deaf people, Habinteg Housing Association
J Butt and S Dhaliwall (2005) Different Paths: Connecting Services - A Guide to better practice in meeting the housing needs of black and minority disabled and D/deaf people, Habinteg Housing Association
The research report is available at www.differentpaths.org.uk.
An order form for the guide to better practice is also available at www.differentpaths.org.uk.
Useful Race Equality Foundation publications
- Between ambition and achievement by Tracey Bignall and Jabeer Butt
- Discussion paper 7: Family support for parents and families with additional needs by Tracey Bignall, Leandra Box and Sharon Otoo
Click here to see all Race Equality Foundation publications.