What's New?

• Shelter has published An overview of the issues faced by Gypsy and Traveller communities in accessing housing and services

The Issues

People from travelling communities have specific needs when it comes to housing and homelessness. Whether they are settled or continuing to travel, they need accommodation and facilities that meet their needs and respect their different cultures. Inappropriate and heavy-handed approaches to travelling people can cause them to become homeless.

Durham County Council is a local authority that demonstrates a positive attitude towards travelling communities. It is developing a strategy to improve its services towards them.

Resources

• The Travellers Aid Trust - aim to support travellers and advance their children's education. They offer a grants programme and host the Gypsy Traveller Law Reform Coalition.

• The Commission for Racial Equality has published the findings of its Inquiry into equality, race relations and sites for Gypsies and Irish Travellers. This found, amongst other things, that local authority housing and homelessness services "fail to tailor their services to Gypsies’ and Irish Travellers’ particular needs in the same way as for other members of the public."

• Department for Communities and Local Governement (DCLG - formerly the ODPM) Guide to responsibilities and powers

• DCLG Draft practice guidance Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments

• DCLG circular Planning for Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites