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Migrant support pledge for housing associations launched
Housing associations are being urged to sign up to a three-point pledge to provide support for migrants.
The pledge, which has so far been signed by 18 landlords, was drawn up by bosses from housing associations Innisfree and Arhag and migrant support charity Praxis Community Projects.
It calls for associations to provide a safe environment for migrants, train staff and board members on the difficulties facing vulnerable migrants, and raise awareness about the issue.
The pledge will be launched at the Migrants’ Access to Housing conference in London on 20 June organised by Innisfree, Arhag and Praxis.
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John Delahunty, chief executive of 550-home Irish landlord Innisfree, said: “Many of the organisations interested in the pledge are not large housing providers, but are all strong, financially sound community organisations.
“The pledge doesn’t require the promise of a lot of resources; it does require the promise of our intent to do what we can to help.
“If we can trigger a response from housing associations of all sizes around the country, we will make a major difference to the lives of new communities.”
BME National, the black and ethnic minority housing association collective, has backed the pledge. The National Housing Federation has said it supports the pledge’s aims.
Cym D’Souza, chair of BME National, said: “BME National fully supports the pledge. In the complex pattern of world events today, it clearly expresses our vision of our members helping create successful, vibrant and integrated communities.“Across the country we work alongside many other housing associations already having a huge positive impact and we would encourage them all to commit to the pledge too.”