Ethnic minorities not represented in tenant groups

New research has found that black and ethnic minority groups in
Scotland continue to be poorly represented in tenants groups.

The research, carried out by the Race Equality for
Tenants’ Organisations (RETO) project, found that only 3 per
cent of tenants’ groups reported any involvement by black and
ethnic minority groups. The situation is not expected to improve
greatly as only 34 per cent of the groups responding indicated they
had any plans to increase representation.

Ricardo Rea, projects officer with RETO, said: “At a pivotal
time like this, with the possibility of mass housing stock
transfers and the new housing act, no one should underestimate the
importance of getting meaningful black and ethnic minority
involvement in tenants’ groups.”

Since the survey was carried out RETO, a unique project funded
by the Scottish executive and hosted by Positive Action in Housing,
has trained over 100 people in tenants groups throughout Scotland
and will be continuing with this work.