Injustices of engagement: issues in housing needs assessments with minority ethnic communities

Abstract

In this paper, the authors draw out some of the issues involved in housing needs assessment with minority ethnic communities. In particular, they look at three aspects of ‘injustices of engagement’: (1) in the communities that are recognised; (2) who within these communities is included in needs assessments; and (3) how they are included. In the latter category they challenge the extent of community involvement in needs assessments generally and specifically in relation to the Western baselines of definitions of need. It is argued that unless issues of language are addressed the baseline will continue to be the researcher's Western value system and the needs will defined by them.

Keywords:

• minority ethnic communities
• needs assessments
• methodology
• language