Young people from BME communities

National Youth Homelessness Scheme

St Basils (logo) Young people from minority ethnic backgrounds are more likely than their white British peers to experience the personal circumstances which can trigger a risk of or actual homelessness.

National statistics reveal the continued disadvantage and discrimination that many young people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds experience, in terms of:

education
employment
poverty
over crowding in housing
physical and mental health
involvement with the criminal justice system

People from black and minority ethnic groups make up 22 per cent of households accepted by local authorities as homeless. On that basis BME people are around 3 times more likely to become homeless than white British people. (See Housing and BME Communities: Review of the evidence base via the link on the right).

Local authority officers leading the development of policy and strategy in youth homelessness should therefore address:

the focusing of preventative services on BME communities
the accessibility of homelessness services for BME young people, ensuring the particular needs of these young people are recognised and supported.

In determining youth homelessness strategy and in commissioning, local authorities should also refer to existing tools and strategies which cut across all aspects of organisational policy and practice, such as:

The Local Government Equality Standard framework, (see Resource 7 below)
Race Equality Schemes
The Commission for Racial Equality's Housing Code of Practice (see Resource 6 below).

Hallmarks of good practice for working with BME young people

Mainstream services are available to everyone
There is analysis and understanding of the local population base
Positive action is taken to attract a representative customer base
Cultural diversity is reflected in the images the organisation presents and displays
The organisation is able to respond to the communication needs of young people who are newly arrived in the UK
Clear information is given to young people using the organisations' services regarding the organisations' policy dealing with racism and other forms of discrimination
The organisations' workforce reflects, at all levels, the local community it serves
Induction for new staff includes the organisation's approach to diversity and its policy on dealing with racism
Staff have training on equality and diversity
Opportunities for young people to learn and develop through additional activities reflect the local diversity of culture and are welcoming for everyone
There is knowledge within the organisation outlining the range of BME community facilities and resources available.