Islington Tribune - News: Report reveals growth in black homelessness

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Islington Tribune - by JAMIE WELHAM
Published: 7 December 2007

Report reveals growth in black homelessness

RISING homelessness in the black community is being tackled by a joint initiative involving the Town Hall and academics.
A report for Islington Council by the Salford Housing and Urban Studies Unit showed over the period 2001/2 to 2005/6, the percentage of homelessness acceptances from black applicants increased from 28 per cent to 36 per cent.
The report outlines a number of measures to prevent people becoming homeless.
They include family support services, clearer advice on housing and benefit services and help with mental health problems.
According to Islington Housing Advice Centre, the majority of homelessness cases are the result of parents, relatives and friends no longer being willing to accommodate people because of personal differences, overcrowding, domestic violence and debt.
Recommendations included the development of a black befriending scheme and more support services aimed specifically at black people, of whom there are an estimated 20,000 (Black African and Black Caribbean) in the borough.
Report authors, Salford university Professor Andy Steele and Naseer Ahmed of EMS Consultancy, note the housing advice centre figures for 2005 and 2006 confirm 54 per cent of clients who used the service were from the black community.
“Also 32 per cent of all homeless or those threatened with homelessness who presented themselves at the centre were from the black community. Over one quarter (26.35 per cent) of homeless applications were made by black households during 2005, and during 2006 this increased to 32.73 per cent,” the report said.
Liberal Democrat executive member for housing and communities Councillor Terry Stacy said: “Islington was recently rated as having one of the best records for tackling homelessness in London but this report highlights the fact that there is always room for improvement.
“We can’t ignore the fact that a disproportionate number of applicants are from the black community and need to address that issue openly and honestly.”

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