England (Commonwealth Union) – Homelessness is a global problem usually resulting from a variety of issues, primarily domestic and financial. The financial crisis is likely to further add to the homelessness problem particularly for individuals who are highly in debt and have an insufficient income while struggling with inflation.
A recent report by Heriot-Watt University has demonstrated that Black and minoritized ethnic groups in England face homelessness risks the most, further indicating that Black persons were 3.5 times as likely to face statutory homelessness as White British persons. The report, was carried out in partnership with Race on the Agenda and funded by Oak Foundation, saw that discrimination, harassment or abuse for race or ethnicity in housing, or in other factors of life, appears to be linked with an increased risk of homelessness. For Black persons who faced homelessness, 32% reported discrimination from social or private landlords.
Homelessness and Black and Minoritized Ethnic Communities in the UK, which was a statistical report on the State of the Nation, was the first report in a 3-year knowledge and capacity building programme. This hopes to support a fundamental step change in the UK evidence base on homelessness for persons from Black and minoritized ethnic communities.
Polly Neate, chief executive of housing and homelessness charity Shelter, stated that racial inequality together with discrimination were hard-wired into the housing sector. She also stated that the report reveals, once again, that the housing emergency disproportionately effects Black and minoritized ethnic groups, further explaining that direct connection homelessness and racial discrimination should not be ignored, requiring further action.
“Heriot-Watt’s work is helping to lead the way. Homelessness is a structural problem that needs major structural solutions. Any commitment to ending homelessness and creating a fair and secure housing system, must take into account the clear role that the legacy of racial discrimination has played and how it continues to plague society,” said Neate.
