It was good to see Housing Today (22 October, page 23) highlighting the issue of refugee housing and particularly the need for supporting their move on into permanent accommodation.

In the North-east, we have established the Bonvenon Project, which is multi-agency and multi-sector and, crucially, involves refugees in every part of the initiative. Bonvenon is aiming to bring housing associations and other providers together in a network or provision both of housing and of support.

Research we undertook two years ago indicated that 43% of refugees receiving positive decisions in the North-east wished definitely to settle here and a further 38% would settle here if the conditions – principally employment, housing and community support – were right.

Now, with the help of the Housing Associations Charitable Trust, the Bonvenon Project is undertaking awareness raising and development work with housing associations and other housing providers. We are looking at both the specific needs and aspirations of refugees settling in the area and also the ability and willingness of agencies to assist.

We already have a programme of capacity building support in place for refugees involved in Bonvenon, two of whom are undertaking research work for the project.

In this region, we need an influx of new skills, enterprise and culture as for decades we have suffered from depopulation in this respect. You are right to call upon housing associations to play their part.

Simon Underwood, Bonvenon Project, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear

Source

Housing Today