Communities that Work and BME National Launch Joint Steering Group

Communities that Work and BME National have launched a new Joint Board-Level Steering Group to strengthen collaboration between the housing, employment and skills sectors and address the inequalities experience by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities across the UK.

Social housing providers play a vital role in developing skills, improving financial resilience and supporting residents into long-term, sustainable employment. This includes through the use of place-based employment support initiatives, such as the JobsPlus pilot programme. However, evidence continues to show that many BME communities face disproportionate barriers which undermine career prospects, financial stability and overall wellbeing.

This new steering group has been established to bring together expertise from across housing, employment and community organisations to better understand these challenges and develop practical, evidence-based policy solutions that create fairer opportunities for people in these communities.

Communities that Work is the national voice for housing providers aiming to drive more and better job and earnings outcomes for their residents. Its partner, BME National, is a collective of housing associations which promotes equality and diversity in the delivery of housing and support services, whilst also highlighting the contribution made by BME housing associations to thriving communities.

The collaboration will focus on understanding and addressing the persistent disparities experienced by BME communities in housing, employment, skills attainment, access to opportunity and wider life outcomes. Through research, stakeholder engagement and advocacy campaigning, the group will work to ensure that the experiences and expertise of BME communities are reflected in both national and local policy discussions, enabling people from diverse backgrounds to live more prosperous and fulfilled lives.

The Joint Steering Group's priorities include:

• Developing a shared evidence base on the relationship between ethnicity, housing, employment and skills outcomes.

• Producing policy recommendations aimed at addressing inequalities and improving economic opportunity.

• Building stronger relationships with parliamentarians, mayoral authorities and sector stakeholders.

• Creating opportunities for collaboration between housing providers, employers, training providers and community organisations.

• Promoting the voices, experiences and leadership of BME communities across housing, employment and skills policy.

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The Steering Group is chaired jointly by representatives from Communities that Work and BME National and includes leaders from across the housing and employment sectors:

• Mushtaq Khan, Chief Executive, Housing Diversity Network

• Lynsey Sweeney, Managing Director, Communities that Work

• Henri Baptiste, Co-Director, Pathway Housing Solutions

• Cedric Boston, Chief Executive and Person Responsible for Health & Safety, Unity

• Jo Pownall, Employment and Training Development Manager, Clarion Futures

• Tracey Walsh, Head of Employment and Skills, Torus Foundation

• Khalid Mair, Chief Executive, Imani Housing Cooperative

Mushtaq Khan, Chief Executive of Housing Diversity Network, said:

"Housing, employment, skills and economic opportunity all play a crucial role in shaping life chances. Our ambition is to help shape policies and partnerships that deliver meaningful and lasting improvements for communities that continue to face disproportionate barriers to opportunity."

Lynsey Sweeney, Managing Director of Communities that Work, said:

"Communities that Work has long highlighted the role housing providers can play in supporting residents into employment and helping communities thrive. We are delighted to be working alongside BME National to strengthen our collective voice and ensure that housing, employment and skills policies better reflect the needs and aspirations of BME communities."

Over the coming months, the Steering Group will develop a programme of research, policy engagement and stakeholder activity, alongside exploring new opportunities to promote inclusive growth and improve outcomes for BME communities across the country.