No. 48/04

Press Release: Friday 24 September 2004

Muslim children are almost three times more likely than the rest of the population to live in overcrowded accommodation, according to a study published by the Housing Corporation.

Muslim Housing Experiences, by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, draws on statistics from the 2001 national census to show that 42% of Muslim children are affected by overcrowding as opposed to just 12% of the wider population.

In London the problem is more serious, with the relative figures increasing to 53% and 18% respectively.

Similarly, the number of Muslim children living in accommodation with no adults in employment is 35% - double that of the rest of the population - while over 11% are lone parent households. And while traditionally Muslim households might be expected to be larger than those in the rest of the population, in keeping with national demographic trends, nearly 15% are one-person households.

Furthermore, while the study shows that the housing experiences of Muslims are not uniform - there are Muslims resident in all local authorities in England and Wales, not just the bigger cities, and there are Muslim returns across all ethnic groups including 'white' - the report nevertheless concludes that a significant section of the Muslim population is highly likely to require protection from severe and persistent poverty and the associated problems of sub-standard housing and blighted neighbourhoods.

Dr Farhan Nizami, Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, welcomed the publication of the Report, saying: "This study makes a much-needed contribution towards a better understanding of the experiences and housing needs of Muslim members of British society.

"It forms part of the Centre's ongoing research which is encouraging broader studies that make the experience and histories of Britain's Muslims known to the majority population.

"Through such studies people can get to know each other better, and such differences as there are between them can be reciprocally negotiated and managed - instead of being exaggerated and manipulated into mistrust and hostility".

Housing Corporation chief executive, Jon Rouse, said: "We welcome the findings of this ground breaking study - those both expected and surprising - as the bedrock for understanding religion-based housing need for the first time.

"The Corporation will be taking these findings and recommendations very seriously and will be working with national and regional government agencies, statutory providers and individual housing associations to meet the needs and aspirations, not just of Muslims, but of other minority faiths whose true housing status and needs are starting to be better understood."

With the 2001 census questioning the religion of respondents - as opposed to ethnicity only - for the first time, Muslim Housing Experiences, researched by Dr Patricia Sellick, is a unique opportunity to explore the housing needs of Muslims, based on robust statistical data. In England and Wales more than 1.5 million people, or 2.97% of the population, identified themselves as Muslim.

ends

For more information contact Dr Hassan Abedin on 01865 278847; email: hassan.abedin@oxcis.ac.uk or Robert Davies on 020 7393 2227; email: robert.davies@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, an associated institution of Oxford University, is dedicated to the scholarly study of the culture and civilization of Islam and of contemporary Muslim societies. It is engaged in teaching, resea