Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

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8.94 This is not necessarily about specific ‘separate‘ provision in social housing, but about access to
provision in the existing social housing stock and the private sector. In particular in relation to the
private sector, where refugees may be likely to populate ‘vulnerable‘ groups in poor quality private
sector housing and thus become linked to the decent homes target.
8.95 The link with SP funding must also be managed, as many refugees will require additional support
to take up and maintain a tenancy.
Housing for migrant workers
8.96 The EEDA sponsored research into the contribution of migrant workers to the Region’s economy,
although unfinished at the time of writing, has highlighted accommodation issues in the emerging
findings.
8.97 Whilst these are weighted towards working with employers of temporary migrant workers there
may be a need to pick up emerging issues through RHDG (of which EEDA is a member).
Gypsies and Travellers
8.98 The needs of members of the travelling community who choose to settle and live in permanent
housing should be addressed under policies for the BME communities to which they belong. As a
subset of the BME investment theme, the RHS proposes a coherent approach being applied to
public provision of sites for travellers’ mobile homes.
8.99 The Government is committed to ensuring that adequate provision is made for the housing needs
of Gypsies and Travellers, and legislation will now enable SHG to be used for capital funding of
sites for mobile homes. However, the paucity of evidence of demand in the Region, combined with
a lack of detailed information on the funding framework, mean that it is very difficult to establish
a basis for targeting investment. Specific measures to address the issue are set out in the Housing
Act 2004 and new draft planning circular requiring local authorities to assess the accommodation
needs of Gypsies and Travellers in their area, and to produce a strategy detailing how those needs
can be met.
8.100 The EEDA commissioned research that looked at the general accommodation needs and
aspirations of Gypsies and Travellers. This research has provided a framework for future research
and policy making in the Region. Several local authorities within the Region have completed or
commissioned accommodation needs assessments of local Gypsy and Traveller communities,
although the results of only a few were available at the time of writing. Incorporation of policies
and proposals for Gypsy and Traveller provision into the RHS will have to await a review based on
comprehensive evidence from across the Region.
8.101 The ODPM has added funding previously allocated through the Gypsy Site Refurbishment Grant
to the Single Regional Housing Pot to support the provision and maintenance of sites for Gypsies
and Travellers. Although the RHS can be expected to focus investment in areas of high need, this
funding must also fit alongside investment in other services in order to create a complete package
for meeting the wider needs of Gypsies and Travellers in a sustainable manner.