Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

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7.10 Barriers to achieving more cohesive communities include:
• social housing lettings policies
• conditions, practices and attitudes affecting private sector housing
• lack of suitable housing, specifically houses with four or more bedrooms suitable for large
or extended families
• lack of understanding and tolerance of cultural differences.
7.11 Clearly, many of these issues cut across other policy areas such as alleviating homelessness and
health and well-being. Nationally, BME households comprise 7% of all households but represent
53% of those who are the most severely overcrowded 25 . Regionally homeless acceptances for BME
groups are higher than would be expected from their incidence in the general population.
7.12 While BME communities including asylum seekers and refugees, migrant workers and Gypsies and
Travellers are distinct groups with many differences, there are also some common issues such as
the lack of information on the diverse needs of these groups as well as the extent and nature of
involvement in consultation exercises.
7.13 EEDA commissioned a piece of research from the Ormiston Children and Families Trust in 2005 to
undertake a literature review, postal survey of service providers and direct consultation with Gypsy
and Traveller communities to inform recommendations for future research and improvements.
7.14 According to Government figures, 25% of England’s Gypsy and Traveller communities living in
caravans and trailers live in the East of England. Despite this the Region accommodates only 19%
of the country’s local authority site provision. The lack of secure accommodation represents the
biggest issue facing Gypsy and Traveller communities in the East of England. Currently, 34% of
Gypsies and Travellers in the Region live on unauthorised sites and are therefore homeless. Yet, not
all are seeking a settled lifestyle, which means their housing options are limited as traditional
housing is the most common type of accommodation provided.
7.15 The Housing Act 2004 requires local authorities to assess the need for Gypsy and Traveller sites in
their areas and develop strategies to meet that need. Furthermore the new planning policy circular
(Planning Circular 1/94) will require local authorities to allocate land for sites. The circular also
states that the Regional Planning Body should have a firm understanding of accommodation needs
across the Region to inform policies in the RHS and RSS.
7.16 The ODPM five year strategy ‘Homes for All‘ also states that RHBs will have a role in allocating
funding for sites from 2006.
7.17 The RHDG will work with EERA, EEDA and the Government Office for the East of England
to develop regional policies based on further research into the accommodation needs of
Gypsy and Traveller communities.
7.18 The EERA/ RHB’s investment plan will include proposals on recommendations for funding
for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
7.19 EEDA also commissioned research into the contribution of migrant workers into the Region’s
economy. This work was incomplete at the time of writing. It was not aimed specifically at the
accommodation needs of migrant workers. It does, however, contain some recommendations for
accommodation in the emerging findings.
25 CIH (2003) Offering Real Choice, Lettings and Community Cohesion, p.6