Published: 26 June 2006
Tackling ethnic minority homelessness
£3 million has been awarded to projects across the country to tackle homelessness among ethnic minority groups.
The Ethnic Minorities Innovation Fund (EMIF) will provide financial support to voluntary and community groups working in partnership with local authorities, to help deliver innovative projects that aim to reduce levels of homelessness amongst ethnic minority groups.
Successful projects range from helping victims of domestic violence to supporting 11-25 year olds to gain life skills so that they avoid experiencing homelessness.
Ethnic minority households represent 21% of households accepted as homeless by local authorities (in 2004-05) but comprise only 8%of the UK population.
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Ruth Kelly said;
"We know that ethnic minority households are at disproportionate risk of social exclusion, and in the case of homelessness this is no exception as ethnic minorities are around three times as likely to become homeless compared to the rest of the population.
Ultimately however we need to build more houses so that people have access to a settled home."
The announcement is in line with the commitment made in the Government's homelessness strategy published in March 2005 to fund and support innovative approaches to tackle homelessness amongst ethnic minority groups.
Further information
Ethnic Minorities Innovation Fund (EMIF)
Sustainable Communities: settled homes, changing lives - Government's homelessness strategy (summary)
Sustainable Communities: settled homes, changing lives - Government's homelessness strategy (full report)
List of successful projects
Tackling homelessness amongst ethnic minority households – a development guide
Homelessness amongst ethinic minority populations
To find a business you can trust, click on the related categories below: