Plans to tackle racism in housing policy welcomed

12.00.00am GMT Thu 13th Jan 2005

ALLIANCE Social Development Spokesperson Eileen Bell MLA has welcomed plans for improving housing policies in relation to ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland.

Eileen Bell said: "Sadly, the situation regarding housing for migrant workers and ethnic minority communities has been brought into sharp focus this week after a Ukranian woman had to have her frostbitten legs amputated because she had nowhere to live.

"As well as this, people from minority ethnic communities have been attacked in their own homes, and discriminated against when trying to obtain accommodation.

"It is important that we deal with these issues now, and I welcome the Housing Executive taking on the initiative, and encourage them to listen closely to what the needs of minority ethnic communities and migrant workers actually are."