New research finds Roma are being denied decent housing in Govanhill
In July 2024, people from the Roma community living in Govanhill were surveyed on their experiences with housing conditions and the local environment. The study found that basic human rights are not being supported when it comes to housing with the majority of those surveyed saying the conditions of their homes were poor.
Local resident holds up Glasgow-Roma solidarity poster against backdrop of Govanhill tenements.
By Devon McCole | Photo by Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
A research project by Roma rights group Romano Lav and Poverty Alliance, Scotland’s anti-poverty network, shows that the right to decent housing is not being met for members of the Roma community.
During the summer, community researchers from Romano Lav surveyed 45 people from the Roma community, who were diverse in both age and gender, and quizzed them on their experiences of both social and private housing, their awareness of housing rights, and on their experiences of the local environment through the use of local parks in Govanhill.
Romano Lav played a crucial role, making sure the research was informed by cultural expertise and local knowledge. Poverty Alliance supported the research as part of their Rights in Action project, which trains people in communities to use human rights law to advocate for policy change to tackle poverty and inequality.
They recently released a report with their findings from their joint research project to amplify the voices of the Roma community in Govanhill, highlighting the failings of the housing system and advocating for improved conditions.
The findings of the study, whilst not representative of the experiences of the entire Roma community given the small sample size, did shine a light onto some of the challenges being faced by people. And the results are telling.
A number of people who participated in the research project reported on the poor conditions of their home, from dampness and mould problems, lack of hot water, overcrowding, and rodent and insect infestations.
When asked to describe the quality of their housing, 49 percent of participants said it was poor and another 11 percent described it as very poor, compared to just 16 percent who said the quality of their housing was good.
Honing in on just the past year, those same people were asked whether they’d experienced any housing issues and a quarter (26 percent) said they had mice or rat infestations.
When asked to share the details of their experience, one respondent revealed how invasive and distressing the problem has been: “the mice stress us; they are on our bed and clothes” another said “[they] are everywhere, night time is a terror.”
An infestation of cockroaches had gotten so bad one participant reported they were “climbing all over us and the children.”
The examples given show just how poor housing conditions like these are detrimental to the physical and mental wellbeing of tenants. It’s not difficult by any stretch of the imagination to comprehend the reality of living among pests and dampness, which could lead to long term health problems.
These substandard living conditions were reported alongside complaints of high rent prices and exploitative landlords, who in some cases were said to be mishandling or ignoring reported infestations and broken appliances; from boilers on the brink to faulty washing machines, a number of these complaints were not dealt with properly.
One respondent is reported to have said their housing association did not fix the broken shower in their home for a considerable six months. Another said their landlord “doesn’t want to repair anything.”
When asked if the housing repair system was up to standard the majority (57 percent) said no compared to a meagre 16 percent of the participants who said they believed it was. The remaining 25 percent were unsure, pointing to a general lack of knowledge on how the housing repair system works.
This is backed up by the fact that many of the respondents reported having limited knowledge of their housing rights and a lack of awareness of support services, with 70 percent saying they were unaware of their rights in the event their landlord wants to evict them.
Romano Lav said in the report: “We are aware through our work in the community of many instances of members of the Roma community being evicted from their homes without notice and being subject to rental agreements that are illegal.”
The main concern expressed in the report was that not only were housing issues being mishandled by landlords and housing associations, but that a number of tenants felt they were not informed enough to properly challenge these issues.
The report explored the right to adequate housing under The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which includes security of tenure and whether housing is habitable, and compared this to the loved experiences of Roma people in Govanhill. It concluded that many Roma people’s rights in Govanhill are in fact being infringed upon.
Going forward, the report calls upon housing associations, private landlords and government authorities to action and includes specific recommendations for multiple actors who each hold responsibility in maintaining the quality of housing:
Scottish Government and Local Authorities
The Scottish Government (and local authorities) should increase funding to support housing advice services and ensure tenants can exercise their rights. They must also invest in building and maintaining social homes to meet diverse needs.
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow City Council should provide tailored outreach to raise awareness of housing rights and improve local parks, cleanliness, and recreational facilities. Regular consultations with the Roma community are essential to address their housing and environmental concerns.
Housing Associations and Private Landlords
Housing associations and private landlords must address maintenance issues promptly and ensure communal spaces are secure and well-maintained.
The neglect of the human right to adequate housing in Govanhill is exacerbated in the Roma community by a lack of clarity on services available. But with groups like Romano Lav breaking down barriers and advocating for change, it is possible to make a difference and fix the failings of a broken system.
You can read the full report here.