Meeting the sheltered and extra care housing needs of black and minority ethnic older people

Although research into the housing needs of black and minority ethnic elders has made consistent recommendations over the past 24 years, these have, at best, been only partly implemented. With increasing numbers of black and minority ethnic older people, service providers must address their needs, both in the provision of ethnic-specific 'bricks and mortar' sheltered accommodation and 'extra care' accommodation. Given the current emphasis on community cohesion, and a perceived antipathy to solutions that are viewed as addressing the needs of one community alone, consideration should be given to how best to meet specific needs within a mixed environment. This paper argues that there is a clear need for a range of possible solutions to an individual's housing problems, and that awareness of the solutions should be raised to allow service users to make informed choices.