Unconscious prejudice shows need for tenant voice

Housing minister Dominic Raab isn’t immune, expressing surprise in a meeting at the way tenants spoke about their pride in their homes when he has met them.

It’s worth reprinting his words here, because they provide a telling insight into the way unconscious prejudice can work.

Mr Raab said: “Many [tenants] spoke to me, believe it or not – not intuitively expected – about the pride they take in their homes. But they also talked right across the country, from Basingstoke to North Kensington, about some of the stigma associated with social housing.”

It’s quite a juxtaposition of sentences (not to mention an interesting definition of ‘across the country’). And given that Mr Raab was talking passionately about his determination to tackle prejudice, it is tempting to let it slide.

But this stuff matters in a number of different ways – both socially and when it comes to the drafting of policy, such as benefit reforms or the funding of new social homes.

A report published this week by the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru into public attitudes to social housing in Wales, reveals there are numerous prejudices about the tenure – but that these reduce if people actually have experience of it.

The survey found that 56% of homeowners and 58% of private renters thought that ‘social housing estates’ suffer from high levels of anti-social behaviour and crime – but just 25% of social housing occupants did.

"All of which raises questions about existing structures through which tenants are able to influence policy"

Other similar results led to the report’s ultimate conclusion that “among those with direct experience of social housing, attitudes are substantially more positive”.

All of which raises questions about existing structures through which tenants are able to influence policy, raise issues of concern and make their voices heard.

One solution, which tenants’ groups have been talking about in recent months, is the creation of a voice for tenants on the national stage – so they are more easily able to contribute to policy discussions and tackle prejudiced thinking directly.

It’s an idea that has much to recommend it and it will be interesting to see if, following the recent roadshows, the green paper contains thoughts about how the voice of tenants can continue to influence at a national level, rather than simply the policies and approaches of individual landlords.

It really should – and in the meantime Mr Raab might consider taking another cross-country trip to Basingstoke

Martin Hilditch, managing editor, Inside Housing