Race, Housing and Community E-Book

Harris Beider

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 467

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

This book provides an important new contribution to debates around housing policy and its impact on community cohesion. There has never been a more prescient time to discuss these concepts: the book provides an interpretation of housing, race and community cohesion in a highly politicized and fluid policy context. It is designed to initiate discussion and debate but this should not be esoteric and limited to a group of academics. Rather the objective is to bridge academic and policy audiences in the hope that this fusion provides a basis for a new agenda to discuss these topics. Race and community have been key features of social housing policy over the last 20 years with many high-profile interventions, from the proactive approach by the Housing Corporation to support black and minority ethnic housing associations, to the influential Cantle Report documenting segregation in towns and cities following riots, and the National Housing Federation led Race & Housing Inquiry leading to sector wide recommendations to achieve equality. However, volume of policy interventions and reports has not been matched by academic outputs that co-ordinate, integrate and critically analyse 'race', housing and community. Housing, Race & Community Cohesion is the first systematic overview of 'race', housing and community during this tumultuous period. The material presented is robust and research based but also directly engages with issues around policy and delivery. It is designed to reflect the interests both of the academic research community and policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic. It is not rooted to specific policy interventions that could quickly date but instead focuses on developing new ways to analyse difficult issues that will help both students and practitioners now and in the future.

Leseprobe

Contents

Glossary

Acknowledgements

1 Race, Housing and Community

Introduction

An early note about race

About this book

2 Housing Policy and Practice

Introduction

Policy context

Housing and community cohesion: a critique

Looking ahead: a new agenda?

Declining interest in race and housing: from Macpherson to cohesion

The turning of the wheel: ‘muscular liberalism’ and integration

Conclusion: a housing journey through multiculturalism, cohesion and integration

3 Developing Cohesive Neighbourhoods in UK Cities: White Perspectives

Introduction

Race, culture and change

Connecting communities: a focus on white working class communities?

Whiteness: culture and pathology

Community cohesion, institutions and white communities

Housing, fairness and equity: case studies of three neighbourhoods in England

Conclusion

4 The Emergence of the Black Led Housing Sector

Introduction

The rise of race and housing

Organisational or system failure?

Declining interest in race and housing: the problem with regulation and representation

A recovery of the black and minority ethnic housing sector?

Conclusion

5 Housing, Communities and ‘Recycled Racism’

Introduction

The emergence of super-diversity in the UK

Recycled racism

Conclusion

6 New Frameworks for Race, Housing and Community

Introduction

Towards a new approach to race and housing

Looking ahead: a new agenda?

Policy implications

Conclusion

Appendix A

Contents

Belonging: the fall or rise of localities?

‘A consumerism of cause’

Impact on public services

The rise of women and the decline of men

The trouble with boys

What does this mean for public services?

Multicultural or integrated?

The role of public services

A snapshot of 2020

Active, skilled and involved

Age, work and retirement

Age and poverty

Defined by age: rich and poor

A cult of youth?

Age and gender

Faith and identity

Race and belonging: ‘recycled racism’

Faith, race and economic status

White working class identities

Implications for public services

Images

Design

Appendix B

Strategies and plans

The duty to promote race equality

Community facilitation and conflict resolution work stream

Youth activities

1 Providing advice and guidance

2 Acting as a source of and disseminator of good practice

3 Encouraging and facilitating new learning through the community cohesion pathfinder programme

Why is ownership important?

Effective partnership working

Why is this an important factor?

Community strategies: political leaders roles

The role of local councillors

Community representatives

Why is this issue important?

Developing a shared vision

Turning the vision into action

The benefits of an agreed vision

Developing a vision: getting started

Making a statement of intent

Building support

Developing baseline assessments

Evaluating community cohesion

Work out where you are, get the facts and measure

Why is the role of the community and voluntary sector important?

What makes up the sector?

How can they help?

Why is addressing faith issues important?

Why is engaging with children and young people important?

Why are the youth service and Connexions important?

Tools available to encourage engagement and better youth provision

Why is this an important issue?

The benefits of this approach

Travellers

Why is addressing regeneration and neighbourhood renewal issues important?

A suggested approach

Regeneration in rural areas

Why are sports and cultural services important?

How to address the issue

Why are education issues important?

Initiatives underway to assist local authorities

The impact of schools on the wider community

Why are housing and planning issues important?

The effects of segregation

The impact of housing policies

How local authorities and housing associations can play a part

Long term strategic approaches through housing investment

The importance of spatial planning

Why are these issues important?

How to address these issues

Local government as an employer and as a purchaser of services

The role of crime and disorder reduction partnerships

The need to build trust and confidence

Ongoing work at central, force and basic command unit level

What local authorities can do

The role of police authorities

Their role and impact

Provide a clear lead

Make best use of voluntary and community networks

Working with faith communities

Give young people a chance

Youth services should:

How you can help

Provide a fair deal

The power of sport and culture to break down barriers

Using education to promote community cohesion

Review housing policy

Review housing management

Review planning procedures

Bridging the employment gap

Set an example as an employer

Crack down on crime

Make sure the press and media hear and see the picture

Appendix C: Three Definitions of Community Cohesion

LGA

CIC

CLG

References

Index

This edition first published 2012© 2012 Harris Beider

Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing programme has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell.

Registered OfficeJohn Wiley & Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex,PO19 8SQ, UK

Editorial Offices9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UKThe Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK2121 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014-8300, USA

For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell.

The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Beider, Harris.Race, Housing & Community: Perspectives on Policy & Practice / Harris Beider.p. cm. – (Real estate issues)Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-4051-9696-31. Housing policy–Great Britain. 2. Community development–Great Britain. 3. Race discrimination–Great Britain. 4. Racism–Great Britain. I. Title. II. Title: Housing,‘race’ and community cohesion.HD7333.A3.B435 2012305.800941–dc23

2011035189

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books.

Dedicated, with unconditional love, to

Jemima, Alys, Jess and Thom

Glossary

BME housing associations

Black and minority ethnic housing associations are defined as those that have 80% or more of their board or management committee drawn from black and minority ethnic communities. Black and minority ethnic housing associations were established from the 1970s onwards to meet the specific housing needs of black and minority ethnic communities. The Housing Corporation sponsored the development of BME housing associations in various policies commencing in 1986 with a view to meeting housing needs but also developing black and minority leadership and capacity in the housing sector. However, recent policy interventions and focus on financial viability has reduced the number of BME housing associations from a peak of over 50 during the 1990s and the future is uncertain.

CIH

The Chartered Institute of Housing is the professional body for people who work in the housing sector in the UK and was founded in 1938 as the Institute of Housing but changed its name in 1994 after receiving a Royal Charter. More than 19 000 people are members of the CIH. Each year the CIH organises its Annual Conference and Exhibition, which is the largest housing event in Europe.

CRE

The Commission for Racial Equality is a national organisation that works in ‘both the public and private sectors to encourage fair treatment and to promote equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their race, colour, nationality, or national or ethnic origin’. It has statutory powers under the 1976 Race Relations Act which include helping people who have suffered discrimination, harassment and abuse; conducting formal investigations into organisations who may be operating in a discriminatory way and oblige them to change; taking action against organisations or adverts that are discriminatory and helping individuals with judicial review action against the decisions by public funded organisations such as local authorities. In 2007 a new Commission for Equalities and Human Rights will be established to provide a single point of access for equalities matters. For the time being, the CRE has decided that it will not be part of this new body believing that amongst other issues that race equality will be diluted.

Council housing

Council housing was built and managed by local authorities in the UK during the twentieth century to meet the needs of local people. After the World War II there was a major boom in council housing given that one out every three houses was destroyed. In addition, slum clearance in cities was a key policy priority. Many developments during this period were characterised by generous standards of space and layout together with gardens and inside toilets. Council housing from the 1960s became increasingly characterised by high-rise tower blocks that were deemed to provide better housing density. The rise of homeownership, and especially the introduction of Right to Buy in the 1980 Housing Act (see below) by the Conservative Government, together with design faults and reduced investment led to sharp reductions in popularity and tenure. Council housing became associated with poor quality standards inhabited by poor households. The housing stock transfer programme provides an opportunity for councils to attract inward investment into council housing through establishing different types of management arrangement. Both Labour and Conservative governments have encouraged this.

Housing associations

Housing associations (sometimes referred to as registered social landlords) are the main providers of new and affordable homes to rent and buy in England. They operate on a not-for-profit basis and any surplus generated is invested into housing management and maintenance and helping to finance new housing developments. There are over 1500 housing associations in England managing over two million dwellings and housing over four million people. Some housing associations were first established over 100 years ago but many were founded in the 1960s and 1970s. The Housing Corporation is the regulatory agency that supports, provides investment and measures performance of housing associations.

Macpherson Report

The Macpherson Report is sometimes known as the Lawrence Report and was published in 1999. Chaired by Judge William Macpherson it was the culmination of an inquiry into the unlawful and racist killing of Stephen Lawrence in South London. The Report was important because it highlighted the institutional racism in the failure of the Metropolitan Police in successfully complete their investigation leading to the non-conviction of the alleged perpetrators. The Macpherson Report was hugely influential in establishing a framework for race equality in the UK.

NASS

The National Asylum Support Service is the government agency that has responsibility for people who are seeking asylum in the UK. Limited support is provided with accommodation and other areas of support. Importantly, once a decision has been made on status, people that have been seeking asylum have only 28 days to leave NASS supported accommodation which may increase the risk of homelessness.

NHF

The National Housing Federation is the trade body for 1400 independent and not-for-profit housing associations in England. It promotes the needs of members to government and other key agencies, influences the public policy agenda on housing and supports its members through briefings, conferences and workshops.

Right to Buy

The 1980 Housing Act first introduced the Right to Buy Scheme. It enables local authority tenants with at least two years tenancy to buy their homes at below market rates. More than 1.6 million tenants have exercised their Right to Buy since 1980. For some the policy has helped to create mixed income and mixed tenure neighbourhoods but others suggest that it has also increased polarisation and led to further erosion of council housing stock.

The Housing Corporation

The Housing Corporation is the government agency that funds new affordable housing and regulates housing associations across England. This is achieved by investment through the approved development programme to housing associations, being the statutory regulator for housing associations and helping to influence housing policy nationally, regionally and locally.

Homes and Communities Agency

The HCA is the national housing and regeneration agency for England that is charged by government to increase economic growth, supporting communities and delivering affordable housing.

7/7

This refers to the series of planned attacks on London’s transport system on the 7 July 2005. Fifty six people were killed including the four bombers and more than 700 people injured.

ODPM

This is the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which was established in 2001. It was replaced by its successor The Department for Communities and Local Government in 2006. As a government department ODPM was responsible for communities and local government.

CIC

The Commission for Integration and Cohesion was launched by the Labour government in 2006 in the aftermath of 7/7. Its remit was to look at how local areas can manage the challenges of increased diversity in the UK. The CIC final report ‘Our Shared Future’ was published in 2007.

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

The EHRC was established came into being in 2007. It promotes and enforces equality and anti-discrimination laws in the UK.

FBHO

The Federation of Black Housing Organisations was the national race and housing charity which supported the work of black and minority ethnic housing associations through lobbying, research and training.

CRE

The Commission for Racial Equality was the national non-governmental agency charged with promoting race equality and addressing racial discrimination. It emerged in 1976 and was merged into the EHRC in 2007.

Connecting Communities

The Connecting Communities initiative was a £12million programme launched by the Labour government in 2009. It was designed to promote cohesion, address deprivation and increase empowerment in deprived communities.

A8 Migrants

The A8 are the eight countries in Eastern Europe who joined the European Union in May 2004. Migrants from these countries had the right to work and travel to the UK.

SUS

The sus law (suspicious person) was name given to the stop, search and arrest powers given to the police by the 1824 Vagrancy Act. Some have viewed this as a way of racial profiling and harassment of minority communities.

ASBO

The Anti-Social Behaviour Order was introduced by the Labour government in 1998. It is a civil order designed to address anti-social behaviour and has been associated in the main with young people.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my colleagues and friends at former and current places for their help and support in writing this book. My perspectives have been sharpened by debates in the worlds of policy, practice and academia.

In particular, I would like to thank and acknowledge the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Birmingham City Council for supporting research on difficult and sensitive topics that have helped shape some of the chapters in this book.

This book would not have been possible without the help of my friend Arlene Conn in the United States. Her encouragement, generosity and spirit of challenge cannot be repaid by any act on my part. I would simply like to place as permanent record my deep appreciation for Arlene’s many skills and moral fortitude.

My family are my constant in life in so many ways. Your support, love and challenge constantly inspires me to become a better husband, father and academic.

Sarah: any words on my part are really academic but I could not wish for a better person to share ideas and life.

Jemima, Alys, Jess and Thom: your very being makes me proud to be your father.

1

Race, Housing and Community

Introduction

This book seeks to critically analyse the story of race, housing and community cohesion. They have different meanings for different audiences. This is not surprising since race, housing and community cohesion do not especially lend themselves to a sterile analysis. The problem with these debates is that there is very little end product resulting from the critique of race and community cohesion.

Some have argued that community cohesion should be regarded as the antithesis of multiculturalism. As we will see in more detail later in this chapter, community cohesion is sometimes viewed as bleaching race from public policy debates and replacing it with a much more insipid fluid. There is a level of concurrence with this perspective. However, community cohesion should not be regarded as neutral. Rather the opposite. It is a highly ideological response to race during a remarkable and politicised period in our history. The concept has been influential in public policy debates in shaping the direction, content and trajectory of travel.

Housing has been a key metaphor for race and community cohesion. Indeed, housing publications have illuminated the discourse on race and more latterly, community cohesion. Policy analysts have generated research, guidance and impact measures on race and community cohesion. Practitioners need to utilise academic research and policy guidance in making sense of conflict for public resources between and within communities.

So much for the reduced significance of race and community cohesion in recent years. There has never been a prescient time to discuss these concepts in relation to housing. The book provides an interpretation of housing, race and community cohesion in a highly politicised and fluid policy context. It is designed to initiate discussion and debate. This should not be esoteric and limited to a group of academics. Rather, the objective is to bridge academic and policy audiences in the hope that this fusion provides a basis for a new agenda to discuss these topics.