The new policy aims to ensure that the needs and expectations of BME communities are integrated into the everyday business of RSLs and that there is community participation in decision making and in the delivery of services. It acknowledges that BME communities suffer disproportionate levels of housing need, resulting from both discrimination and disadvantage, and points out that the first step to delivering effective housing services is to understand these needs.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to assess housing need and are responsible for defining local priorities. Recent guidance from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions urges them to include policies covering BME needs in their housing strategies. Although local authorities should thus be taking the lead, RSLs (including those led by BME groups) have a very important role to play in the development and implementation of local housing strategies.

This guide is about ways of researching BME housing needs. It is written primarily for the staff of registered social landlords in London, although it is hoped that it will also be of use to housing officers in the London boroughs and to people in other areas.

This document can be ordered from our Publications Unit publications@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk price £15. Please send a cheque payable to the Housing Corporation with your order (no p&p). The address is The Housing Corporation Publications Unit, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London, W1P 0BN.