Black and Minority Ethnic Housing Action Plan launch
Released: 2 October 2007
An action plan which aims to ensure that black and minority ethnic residents get fair housing services that meet their needs was launched by Wolverhampton City Council and its partners today.
Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader of Wolverhampton City Council, presented the final version of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Housing Action Plan at a meeting of representatives from all the groups that have contributed to the document.
The plan outlines the strong and continued commitment of the council and its partners to providing equal and inclusive housing and housing services which are accessible to all BME groups and all residents of Wolverhampton.
Developed following extensive research, subsequent consultation and ongoing involvement with BME groups, it responds to a number of key issues by putting forward targeted actions which include:
• Increasing the supply, quality and type of housing required to meet identified BME housing needs
• Improving the quality of private sector stock
• Increasing the level and access to supported housing services
Councillor Peter Bilson, who is Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Enterprise with responsibility for strategic housing as well as deputy leader, said: “Wolverhampton City Council and its partners aim to understand and meet the needs of all communities in our city as part of our commitment to equality in service and housing provision.
“As the black and minority ethnic community grows and becomes more diverse, we want to assess how housing and housing services are meeting their needs, and where we can improve and do things better. The BME Housing Action Plan plays a key role in achieving this.
“By delivering the action plan and carrying out the targeted actions we will, in turn, improve services for all residents of Wolverhampton.”
As part of the research process a stakeholder panel was set up to represent the views of residents, community groups and those that work with and on behalf of BME residents on housing issues. This group has acted as a consultation forum throughout the development of the action plan.
The launch today took place during one of the stakeholder panel meetings in the city, attended by members of the community, council officers and officers from partner organisations such as Wolverhampton Homes, All Saints and Blakenhall Community Development (New Deal for Communities programme), Nehemiah Housing Association and Whitmore Reans Neighbourhood Partnership.
New members are invited to join the stakeholder panel. If anyone has an interest in BME housing issues and would like to be involved they are asked to please get in touch with the Housing Strategy Team on 01902 556999 or by email.
Issued by the press office.