Do Black and minority tenants get a worse housing service?

Black & Minority Ethnic social housing tenants in Leeds are significantly less satisfied with their landlord’s services than White tenants. 

They are less satisfied with the quality of their homes and their neighbourhood too.

While 73% of White tenants are happy with their landlord’s services only 59% of BME tenants are equally satisfied.

Are Black & Minority Ethnic tenants getting a worse service?  That’s what Leeds Tenants Federation wants to know.

We already know that Minority communities suffer from worse overcrowding and homelessness and often live in the worst condition housing. 

Now the results of the most recent city-wide survey of housing satisfaction with the three Leeds Arms Length Management Organisations show Black & Minority Ethnic tenants are not happy with the service they get.

We discussed the findings with a group of Black & Minority Ethnic tenants. They said: ‘There is too much stereotyping of ethnic minorities. There are too many rude and insensitive comments to tenants. Officers can be very negative, finding fault when they should be more understanding and accept diversity.’ 

Is this a product of the business model of today’s housing companies with their remote contact centres, fast call handling and customer profiling based on cultural stereotype? 

We believe that all tenants should be treated with respect by their landlord.  Services should be shaped around what tenants want and housing officers should build direct face-to-face relationships with the communities they serve.

We want a local service where staff know their tenants and are sensitive to their varied needs.  That would make all tenants equally satisfied.

#000000">Our report ' Black & Minority Ethnic tenant satisfaction' reveals a disturbing picture of an ethnically divided housing service. Download it here.