Housing Needs of Black and Minority Ethnic and Migrant Worker Households in Dorset and Poole

The aims of the study were to increase the understanding of the housing needs of BME and migrant worker households across Dorset as well as to ensure that existing housing providers gave equal access to their services and integrated the needs of these communities into their everyday activities.

The study covered the Borough of Poole and all six Districts and Boroughs within Dorset (Christchurch, East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, and Weymouth and Portland Councils). Bournemouth Borough Council was not included as they had already carried out research into BME housing needs.

The research was commissioned by Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Strategic Housing Group and was conducted by a team of researchers from Salford Housing and Urban Studies Unit (SHUSU) aided by a team of community interviewers over the winter/spring of 2009-10.

The study involved

• A review of existing data on BME and migrant worker communities

• Consultation with 27 key stakeholders and 7 Registered Providers (Housing Associations).

• A survey of 469 BME households across Dorset carried out by interviewers from the BME communities; and

• Additional qualitative interviews with 20 BME households.

The results can be seen in the  Final Report (pdf, 966kb) (opens in a new window) and Executive Summary (pdf, 229kb) (opens in a new window) .

In November 2010 the findings of the study were discussed at a seminar in Poole. Officers of the Local Housing Authorities, Housing Associations, NHS, voluntary agencies and the BME and migrant worker communities discussed what actions were needed to address the recommendations of the study. An  Action Plan (pdf, 187kb) (opens in a new window) has been drawn up and will be monitored by the Strategic Housing Group. The local authorities and main housing associations operating in Dorset and Poole are being encouraged to take up the actions proposed.

• Name: Jenny McCarthy
  Email: j.mccarthy@westdorset-dc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 252469
  Fax: 01305 251481
  Full details for Jenny McCarthy