BLACK and minority ethnic communities still face “considerable disadvantage”, according to a district housing boss.

And he is calling on whatever new Government is returned after the General Election to fully involve BME communities in “rebuilding public trust” in the political system.

Lee Bloomfield – chief executive of Manningham Housing Association, which manages over 200 properties in Keighley – says BME households are more likely to experience overcrowding, poorer-quality housing and fuel poverty.

He added: “It is also more common for them to live in the most deprived neighbourhoods and in rented properties rather than owning their homes.

“BME communities must have the same opportunity as everyone else to benefit from the exciting new world that the political parties claim they will deliver for voters.

“Whatever the outcome of the General Election, it is surely incumbent upon the new Government to represent the interests of all communities and ministers must stick to policy pledges.”

Mr Bloomfield said that according to Ipsos MORI, only 53 per cent of BME voters turned out at the 2017 General Election.

“This should be seen as a chance to properly involve BME communities in rebuilding public trust in the political process,” he said.

Manningham Housing Association was founded in 1986 following research into the housing needs of black and Asian communities in the district. It found that the needs of the South Asian community were not being addressed.

More than 80 per cent of the association’s residents are of South Asian origin.

Mr Bloomfield says a new mission statement has been published by BME National, a collective of over 45 housing associations, which identifies four areas where Government action would improve the quality of life for BME residents.

He adds: “Working with colleagues on the BME National executive group, a list of policy asks were drawn-up under four headings – ageing well, ending homelessness, equality of opportunity, and thriving and diverse cities.

“We also outlined precisely how BME housing associations could play an active part in helping the new Government to deliver these policies. It must be a two-way process.”