Introduction

The recognition of diversity has become a hallmark of today's social sciences, with an increasing awareness of variations in identities, ethnicity, and life-styles. Faced with this variety, observers may have become more reluctant to generalise about housing options and constraints for households. Yet beyond the level of individual or small group experiences – however varied – lie longstanding patterns and mechanisms of relative inclusion and exclusion. Homelessness among black minority ethnic households reflects and illustrates these patterns. This chapter will seek to locate and appraise the diverse specificities of daily experience alongside a broader analysis of structural or institutional forces. It will also note that activists are well aware of the broad causative forces involved, and have challenged institutional practices that generate or reinforce exclusion.

We will begin by indicating the meaning attached below to the term ‘homeless’, and will also anchor our account by noting how very significant homelessness is for black minority ethnic communities. The chapter will then turn to the issue of causation, offering a model of exclusion which includes racialisation and other ‘structural’ factors, but also acknowledges diversity. Following this, some aspects of experiences for black people are explored further, emphasis being placed on choice, diversity and stereotypes. We then consider institutional roles, including agency responses. Finally, conclusions are drawn. Homelessness for minority ethnic households is very much part of a larger pattern of constraints and options. Despite the diversity of household experiences involved, stratification and racialisation remain important for that overall pattern. In a climate where images sometimes have as much impact as realities, governmental responses do not seem to recognise the full nature or extent of minority ethnic homelessness. Yet there has been a strong current of resistance and criticism from the grass roots, with a very definite awareness of shared problems and of the importance of broad socio-economic issues.

In this chapter reference will be made to ‘black minority ethnic’ (or ‘black and minority ethnic’) in order to cover a large range of groups seen as differing from the majority white populations. This follows a convention used at present within housing practice in order to simplify discussions. The terms minority ethnic or black are also used in this inclusive way from time to time below, largely in order to vary the text; for present purposes the former is not meant to refer to white minority groups.