INSIGHT REPORT: A snapshot of ethnic minority tenant experiences of engagement in Wales
Being heard should never depend on your background. But currently, pre-existing racial inequalities in housing and the rise of racially motivated hate-crimes in Wales is making that extremely difficult for many ethnic minority tenants.
This is impacting ethnic minority tenants, ethnic minority staff and communities. It is resulting in real-life harms for people and their families. It is hurting Wales, a place many are proud to call home.
What does meaningful tenant engagement look like when you feel your concerns are being dismissed? When you are being advised not to bid for a property somewhere because you’re told you will be likely to face racist abuse there? When reports of racism are treated as ordinary neighbour disputes? Or when repeated inspections of damp and mould lead to little action?
These are some of the questions explored in our new insight report, A Snapshot of Ethnic Minority Tenant Experiences of Engagement in Wales.
At TPAS Cymru, we believe every tenant matters. But ensuring every voice is heard means understanding that tenants do not all experience housing, landlord communication or engagement in the same way.
To explore this further, we spoke directly to 30 ethnic minority tenants across Wales through three online focus groups, bringing together private renters and social housing tenants from a range of backgrounds and communities. No real names have been used in this report to protect their identities.
Their experiences were varied. Some described positive relationships with their landlords, feeling respected, supported and listened to. Others shared difficult experiences of racism, poor communication, unresolved repairs and feeling that their concerns were not taken seriously.
One message stood out: meaningful engagement is about more than giving tenants an opportunity to speak. It is about what happens when they do.
When racism is dismissed, tenants can be left feeling unheard. And with rises in race-related hate crimes, this needs to be taken seriously.
So, what needs to change?
Our findings are a starting point for wider discussion, rather than a definitive picture of every ethnic minority tenant's experience in Wales. But they highlight important areas where landlords and the wider housing sector can reflect, learn and take action.
We are encouraging landlords to consider and act upon some key questions:
1.Are we recognising racism and discrimination with confidence?
2. Are we acting on what tenants tell us?
3. Are we making tenant engagement genuinely inclusive?
Moving from representation to meaningful change
We know that housing inequality cannot be addressed through engagement alone. But meaningful engagement can help landlords better understand all tenants' experiences, identify where services are falling short and work with communities to develop better solutions.
That means going beyond asking who is represented around the table. We must also ask who feels comfortable speaking, whose concerns are taken seriously and whether tenants can see the impact of their involvement.
Our report offers an opportunity for the sector to listen, reflect and consider what more can be done.
Because, ultimately, good tenant engagement is not about ticking a box. It is about building trust, treating people with dignity and making sure every tenant has a meaningful opportunity to shape the services and communities they call home.
Every tenant matters. Now we must make sure our actions reflect that and keep it up.
Read the full report: A Snapshot of Ethnic Minority Tenant Experiences of Engagement in Wales: Insight Report