Asians First Policy For Kent Housing Scheme

[Snafu03]

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/backlash-sparked-over-asian-priority-19414/

Not sure if Orbits defence against the Asians First policy is tangible - just chucking it out there!

[douglas9401]

There will be very little uptake I'm sure, given the tradition of those from the sub continent housing all generations of extended family together.
Unless of course things have changed in the last wee while.
Now I'm off to post an ad in the local paper looking for a straight white male, at least six feet tall with no disabilities to fill a position that's become vacant.
That'll be fine I'm sure in this brave new world.

[Svejk]

it almost feels like one of those made up stories.

[Mamyalynne]

I found that article and indeed some of the comments below made me think hard, it should perhaps not be necaessary to word their ads in such a way but on reading deeper I can see why.

Also the fact that Medway, who run sheltered housing in that area along with Orbit have no such recommendations for 95% of their property and that no one is excluded from applying to be housed at Apni Haweli , to me lessens the immediate shock horror of what could be seen as discriminatory.

[New Judge]

I'm glad you don't see it as out and out discrimination, Mamyalynne. I don't quite share your view:

"Orbit Housing says the sheltered housing scheme is designed for ethnic minorities and, although they accept applicants from other backgrounds, Asian applicants will be given priority because the property better suits their needs."

Why is sheltered housing "designed for ethnic minorities"? What specific design features do the properties include which suit ethnic minorities (specifically Asians) but not others?

"Due to the nature of the scheme, additional resources such as translation services, can also be provided that would not otherwise be as easily available at other sheltered housing schemes."

It is an utter disgrace that any social or affordable housing should be "designed for ethnic minorities". Such properties should be designed for everybody and if they do not suit ethnic minorities (and for what reason I cannot imagine) then they should adapt to the range of properties on offer. If Asian people are given priority the policy is discriminatory. (as has been mentioned, imagine if the Housing Association said that priority would be given to white people). They need to be tackled.

[Mamyalynne]

Well, if we take but one small part of what you ask then the costs of having translators etc in and around each and every sheltered housing scheme in that area would have a knock on effect to local Council tax payers.

You may ask why are those needed but as I said reading some of the erudite comments below the article broadened my outlook , whilst many may have been here a long long time, dementia and other age related conditions can sometimes make the elderly regress in there language.

Hence 95% of their sheltered stock is available without even a caveat to all, perhaps then they should simply advertised the places to let and then let the prospective tenants decide on arrival.

All I am saying is that I can see some sense in it.

[Mamyalynne]

^^ In their language (correction)*

[naomi24]

I agree absolutely with you, NJ. Utterly disgraceful. That'll encourage integration and the obligatory tolerance that we're all required to demonstrate!

//What specific design features do the properties include which suit ethnic minorities (specifically Asians) but not others? //

I can only think of bathrooms with 'holes in the ground' instead of pedestal lavatories.

[Baldric]

Your link gave me

'Bad Request (Invalid Hostname)'

[naomi24]

Try this one Baldric. It pretty much tells the story, and a bit more.

http://www.24dash.com/news/housing/2014-07-08-housing-minister-wades-into-orbit-asian-housing-row

[Baldric]

Tried Googling it myself as soon as I enter 'Asian Priority' I get the same response, it's a conspiracy!!!!

[Baldric]

Thanks Naomi, that works, Having a read now.

[Baldric]

That Company need taking to task over this and soon imo!!

[Mamyalynne]

I should imagine that they will amend the advert and continue to run the housing scheme as it has been for 12 years.

[naomi24]

//this scheme is one of about 30 set up to provide sheltered housing in areas with a significant elderly black minority ethnic population. //

... but not to give priority to the elderly black minority ethnic population - which is what Orbit is very clearly doing.

[inksplotter]

Are "houses for Asians" not as good as "houses for non-Asians"? Is it more deprived area?

Pakistanis tend not to get on with Indians, for example. Do they consider these things?

[Gromit]

// In a statement, Orbit said: “The scheme was funded by the Housing Corporation with a view to meeting an identified need for the Asian over 55s population, a group under-represented in sheltered housing in the Medway area when it opened more than 10 years ago.

“We let our homes through a Choice Based Lettings scheme with Medway and Kent. No one has ever been declined a place here because of their ethnicity or background. Today five of the 16 residents (with two places currently empty) are ‘White British’.” //

There was a shortage of places for elderly Asians, so they built this scheme to catter for that. So they do not want to fill it with non Asians when they advertise for tenants.
If they had built a scheme for deaf people, and had staff and equipment for that need, then they might advertised for deaf tenants. It is dicriminatory, but sensible use of limited money.

[tamborine]

As elderly with social sec entitlements, havent they learned english thru their time here?

[Snafu03]

'There was a shortage of places for elderly Asians' This makes no sense; housing isn't allocated regarding cultural background. Think Orbit are blurring the fact that there must be a shortage of places for all elderly people, not just Asians