Engaging Ethnically Diverse Communities
Engagement with ethnically diverse communities and tenants is crucial to understanding their housing experiences and needs. All too often, ethnically diverse communities are considered ‘hard-to-reach’. This page provides advice on how to overcome perceived engagement barriers.
How does this link to Anti-racist Wales Action Plan?
ARWAP asks housing providers to:
- Improve communication and engagement with ethnic minority people
- Demonstrate how they will ensure that anti-racism and race equality are embedded within their services. This includes housing needs and conditions.
- Housing associations need to comply with regulatory standards: RS1 c) evidence based commitments including anti-racism & RS3 b) deliver services which meet diverse needs
- Use new LHMA process and guidance focused on better understanding housing needs of ethnic minority people.
What you need to know
- There are no ‘hard-to-reach’ communities. The term implies blame on communities themselves rather than questioning lack of accessibility. Read more about it here.
- Local authorities and other public authorities in Wales have a legal duty to engage with diverse people. See guidance from ERHC.
What you can do
Engaging with ethnically diverse communities requires thoughtful consideration and cultural sensitivity. Here are some important considerations:
- Train your staff e.g. Asylum Seekers and Refugees Cultural Awareness, Cultural Competency , Engaging with Diverse & Underrepresented Groups
- Commit to do no harm and ensure the process is not extractive to the people you engage e.g. recognise people’s time through payment or other appropriate benefits/means, don’t over promise, clearly explain reasons, take the lead from the people you engage, ask for feedback. See Tai Pawb Lived Experience Principles.
- Consider the need for translation or interpreting (BAWSO service, WITS Service, The Big Word)
- Avoid religious and cultural dates and choose the right time, e.g. Friday afternoons will not be good for practising Muslims (Tai Pawb Inclusion Calendar)
- Use inclusive language (Tai Pawb Inclusive Language Guide)
- Literacy levels in English/mother tongue in some communities may be lower. In these cases printed materials may not be helpful. Use plain English, or Welsh and other strategies.
- Educate yourself about the cultures, traditions, customs, and histories of the communities you wish to engage with e.g. see this guide to different countries, South Asian cultures, Somali culture, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Cultures, Black history in Wales etc.
- Choose the right location and method: if people gather in certain places, take their lead and go to their preferred locations.
- Establish partnerships with community organisations and people with networks in the community. Build long term relationships rather than only contacting them when needed.
- Invest in ethnic minority community groups: these are often small organisations. Consider funding, capacity building, coaching or access to your organisation’s resources, assets etc.
Organisations that can provide further information:
Learn More
- Communicating Housing Information to Refugees and Asylum Seekers
- You can find plenty of resources on how to better engage with all diverse communities here
- Tai Pawb and Public Health Wales produced a Roadmap for Inclusive Co-production based on a project co-produced with refugees with plenty of tips for inclusive engagement. Check it out.
- Should you include race in alt text? Watch this discussion about race when describing people in alt text: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCcsp7BUsCk
Tenant App in CCHA
We launched our tenant app in September 22. One of our main objectives was to make sure the app was accessible to all our tenants. We worked with @thebigword to translate the app so that it is available in six languages. You can find out more here: https://t.co/vapWM9FOKT
— Cardiff Community Housing Association (@CCHACorporate) December 7, 2022
Vaccine Pop-ups at CCHA
During the #COVID19 pandemic, we worked with @CV_UHB to create vaccine popups in our Loudoun and Trowbridge Centres. This brought the opportunity to get a vaccination right into the heart of our communities with over 180 people receiving it during these activities. #DeedsNotWords pic.twitter.com/j8AVm1Jf2q
— Cardiff Community Housing Association (@CCHACorporate) December 7, 2022
Supporting Community Groups CCHA
We provided funding to support the @Home4UCardiff project. Home4U is a registered charity based in Cardiff. It provides accommodation to people seeking asylum who become destitute when they reach a break in their asylum claim. #DeedsNotWords
— Cardiff Community Housing Association (@CCHACorporate) December 7, 2022
Finally (for today!), we love nothing more than to champion, support and promote local community groups like @TigerBayABC, #Butetown Market, Butetown Homeschoolers and The Patty Man. If you think we can support your community in #Cardiff, give us a shout! #DeedsNotWords #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/8PJxl7jRHQ
— Cardiff Community Housing Association (@CCHACorporate) December 7, 2022
Supporting ethnic minority community groups – Wales and West Housing
In 2023, Wales and West Housing pledged financial support for two charities advocating for and providing support to ethnic minority communities.
EYST (Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team) Wales and BMHS (Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Mental Health Support) will each receive £10,000 per year for three consecutive years.
We are looking for case studies on this topic. Can your organisation share their Engaging ethnically diverse communities example? Contact simon@taipawb.org