Taking pride... and building on it

This is a great achievement for them. In fact the housing movement as a whole deserves congratulation – particularly the Housing Corporation, which took the bold initiative to register BME housing associations in 1986. It must feel proud now to see some of these being as good as, if not better than, most mainstream housing associations.

Ujima and Presentation have adequate resources and the kind of robust business plans that allow them to compete at the highest level.

The situation with regard to the rest of the BME associations is somewhat different.

They are mostly small but successful businesses. But despite this huge gulf in financial capabilities, there are common areas of success, especially in the extension of their remit outside the realm of housing.

These initiatives have developed into a movement where top quality community business meets high levels of customer satisfaction and consumer confidence.

Another successful outcome for BME associations is that they have influenced the provision of suitable housing through mainstream associations. As many as 95 per cent of BME tenants are housed by mainstream associations – mostly through partnership work with BME associations.

The jury is still out on whether the basis of these partnerships is good business or 'moral duty'.

I do not care – as long as BME communities' needs are met and they can enjoy as good a quality of life as everyone else. I have had the privilege of being involved in some genuinely innovative partnership work.

So what is it that the most successful BME associations do differently from their mainstream counterparts?

There is nothing especially radical about their approach. It is based on a very simple model, where a housing officer does more than just collect rent and chase arrears, where a 'holistic' service is provided.

The BME sector is experienced in culturally sensitive service provision and is an excellent conduit for reaching minority communities

Housing officers at these associations understand the cultural and religious needs of their communities, and provide a sense of control by maintaining the right balance in both governance and staffing.

This is also the case with a large number of other small associations.

It is nice to see that, as a result of the government's emphasis on the neighbourhood renewal agenda, these issues are now being considered by mainstream associations. However, given the scale of problems, real progress will require a huge change and long term and close relationships with BME housing associations.

The BME sector has first-hand experience of culturally sensitive service provision and remains an excellent conduit for reaching minority communities.

This kind of strategic alliance is crucial, as small organisations need to find other income streams to deal with rent convergence issues.

There has been a great deal of rhetoric about providing financial support for rent restructuring, yet little seems to have happened so far.

The sense of uncertainty about the future may drive some associations to make rash decisions, and to explore something more than an alliance.

It seems a long time since the DTLR announced possible support packages or flexibility in the restructuring system for black and minority ethnic associations, and a final announcement on this is still awaited.

There is no question about the remarkable contribution of BME associations to the movement and it would be real shame to see them fail to keep their independence.