Reflections from Our First Advisory Group Meeting

On 23rd April 2025, our Brick by Brick Advisory Group came together for the first time, united by a simple but radical belief: housing is a human right, not an asset. We’re here to challenge racial discrimination in housing and to reimagine a system that truly serves Black and Global Majority communities.

Why We Gathered

We know the UK housing system wasn’t built for us. From data gaps that erase our experiences, to landlords and housing officers who use prejudice to deny homes, the barriers are real and relentless. Black and Global Majority communities face discrimination at every turn—whether it’s being scrutinised for our hair or passports, or being placed in uninhabitable homes while complaints go ignored.

But this group is about more than naming problems. It’s about centring lived experience, building power, and creating solutions together. We’re here to shift the narrative and demand a system that works for all of us.

What We Heard

Data gaps hide our reality. Without visibility, our struggles remain unsolved. We called for better research that captures intersectional identities—race, gender, sexuality, class.

Racism is systemic. Whether it’s “right to rent” checks or algorithmic bias on rental platforms, discrimination is baked into the system.

Representation matters. Decisions about our lives are made by people who don’t look like us, who don’t understand our trauma.

Community power is key. We’ve lost some of the collective momentum of past Black-led housing movements. Now is the time to rebuild, reconnect, and reorganise.

Our Vision for Change

We want to co-design policies with those most affected. We’re pushing for legislative advocacy—like amending the Renters’ Rights Bill to name and address racial discrimination. We’re demanding trauma-informed, culturally competent services. And we’re calling for a shift: housing as a human right, not just a commodity.

Your Voice Matters

This is just the beginning. True change is only possible if we build it together. We invite you—whether you’ve experienced housing injustice, work in the sector, or care about racial justice—to share your reflections and join our journey. What’s your story? What solutions do you see? How can we build power in our communities?

Get Involved

Share your thoughts, experiences, or resources. Let’s connect the dots between grassroots work and policy change. Reach out to Michaela at Michaela@rota.org.uk and be part of our collective journey towards racial housing justice.

Together, we can rewire the system—brick by brick.

Written by Michaela Queensborough

ROTA Housing Lead