Community renewal news: Rough shelter

Homelessness has risen more than twice as fast among ethnic minority households compared with the rest of the population, according to a report from the homelessness charity Shelter. The report, published last week, says homelessness among black and minority ethnic households has increased by 77 per cent since 1997, compared with 34 per cent among the general population. Over 30,000 BME households were homeless during 2003/04. Shelter director Adam Sampson said: "For children who are already at risk of disadvantage, bad housing can have a devastating effect on their education, health, and future prospects." The BME Housing Crisis Report can be viewed at www.shelter.org.uk.