An Abingdon based Housing Association is marking the Chinese New Year with a positive strategy to safeguard the interests of its black and ethnic minority (BME) tenants. The new strategy will be formally launch at the home of one of the Vale Housing Association's Chinese tenants, Mrs Mann at 10am on 24th January to mark the start of the Chinese Year of the Snake.
Bill Henderson, Director of Housing for the Vale Housing Association explained the thinking behind the new strategy. The Stephen Lawrence murder enquiry was a wake up call to all public bodies. The report was a clear reminder for housing providers that policies must be translated into practice. This can only be achieved through clear lines of responsibility, staff training and monitoring. You can't ignore the problems facing by black or ethnic minorities in areas like the Vale just because they are small and scattered groups. The difficulties they face can be even more acute than in areas with much larger communities and better support networks. Our goal is to stamp out racial discrimination and disadvantage in all the areas in which we work.
The Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council played a key role in helping with the drafting of the strategy. "We are impressed by the high degree of commitment and clear robust thinking demonstrated by the Vale Housing Association. By working together we can ensure that racist incidents are effectively dealt with and the human rights of tenants promoted" said Director, Adrian Harper-Smith.
The local community was widely consulted before the new strategy was written. The Association undertook a telephone survey of nearly half its BME tenants to investigate their experiences of living locally and using local services. It really brought home the difficulties that some of our BME tenants face
said Emily Griffith, the Association's Communications & Research Assistant. Mrs Danni Mann, a Chinese lady living in one of our properties in Abingdon is travelling into Oxford several times a week to learn English. In the past her son helped her translate correspondence but he is now at university. Without proper awareness people like this may not receive the support they need
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Anyone who would like further information about the strategy can ring Bill Henderson at the Vale Housing Association on (01235) 536001.