By David Williams
07 July 2009
Recently arrived immigrants are not being given priority for social housing over more established families, according to research published today by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The study, carried out by the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank, found that 2% of all those living in social housing moved to this country in the past five years, and that nine out of ten residents were born in the UK.
This contradicts claims by far-Right groups that asylum seekers and economic migrants are able to jump the housing queue ahead of British-born families.
Most European Union migrants who have arrived in the past five years are not legally eligible for social housing, and the report found no evidence to suggest that the system was being abused.
Only 11% of recent migrants live in social housing, the study showed.
Nevertheless, the IPPR uncovered widespread misconceptions about social housing. Many families interviewed during the research feared the system discriminated against white British families, and that immigrants were cheating the system.
Social housing is currently allocated according to need, with homeless people, pensioners and families with children being prioritised.
However, on June 29, the government’s policy programme, Building Britain’s Future, suggested that the criteria might be reformed to benefit applicants with established links to an area.
Equality Commission chair Trevor Phillips said the inadequacy of the social housing system to meet local demands, particularly in deprived areas with long waiting lists, was a source of tension in communities.
‘We have to recognise that people’s perceptions are powerful, so it’s vital that social housing providers and policy makers work to foster understanding of what is really happening on the ground.’
07 July 2009
Recently arrived immigrants are not being given priority for social housing over more established families, according to research published today by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
The study, carried out by the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank, found that 2% of all those living in social housing moved to this country in the past five years, and that nine out of ten residents were born in the UK.
This contradicts claims by far-Right groups that asylum seekers and economic migrants are able to jump the housing queue ahead of British-born families.
Most European Union migrants who have arrived in the past five years are not legally eligible for social housing, and the report found no evidence to suggest that the system was being abused.
Only 11% of recent migrants live in social housing, the study showed.
Nevertheless, the IPPR uncovered widespread misconceptions about social housing. Many families interviewed during the research feared the system discriminated against white British families, and that immigrants were cheating the system.
Social housing is currently allocated according to need, with homeless people, pensioners and families with children being prioritised.
However, on June 29, the government’s policy programme, Building Britain’s Future, suggested that the criteria might be reformed to benefit applicants with established links to an area.
Equality Commission chair Trevor Phillips said the inadequacy of the social housing system to meet local demands, particularly in deprived areas with long waiting lists, was a source of tension in communities.
‘We have to recognise that people’s perceptions are powerful, so it’s vital that social housing providers and policy makers work to foster understanding of what is really happening on the ground.’
