London-based Ujima Housing Association is funding a project to identify the challenges faced by black and minority-ethnic associations in meeting the government’s efficiency agenda.

Ujima and the Federation of Black Housing Organisations have warned that it would be difficult for BME associations to make the same savings as the mainstream sector because the economies of scale are different.

The ODPM has called on the social housing sector to make efficiency savings of about £1.5bn by 2007/8.

Ujima and the FBHO will gather BME associations’ suggestions on meeting efficiency targets.

The information, which should be available later this year, will then be used to develop a strategy for achieving efficiencies and value for money.

Jheni Williams, chief executive of the FBHO, said the survey was part of a wider goal to make BME associations more effective and efficient.

forming more strategic alliances.

Qadeer Kiani, chief executive of Ujima, said he felt the project would assist the entire housing sector.

He said: “We firmly believe that this piece of work will not only enable the BME associations to adopt a more focused and strategic approach to achieving efficiencies, but will benefit the sector as a whole.”

Source

Housing Today