Brick by Brick – Housing Project

ROTA launched Brick by Brick to confront racial injustice in housing. The programme brings forward the voices and experiences of Black and Global Majority communities who are disproportionately affected by housing inequality.

Rooted in the belief that housing is a human right, it focuses on challenging the structural barriers embedded within the system – because when those barriers are dismantled, the housing sector works better for everyone, not just those at the sharpest end of it.

Project Lead

For more information on the housing project, please contact Michaela@rota.org.uk

Key insights from our advisory group

We conducted a participatory research project that examined systemic and institutional racism deeply embedded within the housing sector. This research was co-produced with members of our network who had lived experience of housing discrimination. It qualitatively explored the experiences of Black and Global Majority Londoners in precarious and insecure housing, with a focus on understanding the causes and consequences of these disproportionate challenges.

At the heart of everything we do is a belief in the power of narrative amplifying lived experiences and centering the voices of those who know the story best.

Here are the key learnings from the Advisory Group:

Insight 1. Housing is a Human Right, Not an Asset

“We want to shift the narrative from housing being seen as an asset… to actually being a human right, something that we are all entitled to”.

Insight 2. Data Gaps Create Invisibility

“Black and global majority communities are missing from data… no way to solve a problem that isn’t visible.”

Insight 3. Racism Blocks Access

“My passport was scrutinised more by landlords than border control.”

Insight 4. Representation Matters

“Senior management in local authorities rarely look like us… decisions are made without understanding our experiences.”

Insight 5. Community Power Over ‘Superman’ Solution

“Superman won’t save us. Change comes from us organising.”

Insight 6. Legislative Advocacy is Essential

“Why is race always an afterthought? The bill prohibits rental discrimination but doesn’t name racism.”

Insight 1. Storytelling is a tool for systemic change

“The media is our vessel.. visuals conjure empathy..more than statistics ever could”.

Insight 2. Ethics matter

“Unless you’ve got an offer, it’s going to be extraction. Be careful not to become the oppressor”.

Insight 3. Intersectionality

“For black men to find a roof over their head, it’s very hard for them to get social housing- There are differences when it comes to the issues for black women and and for black men”.

Insight 4. Stories & stats

“Telling a story with the numbers as well, which is as important, we’re thinking about system change”.

Insight 5. Build outrage

“Nobody cares anymore because there’s not any outrage”.

Insight 6. Children change the narrative

“Children have died based on their housing issues- Telling the story of children and the narrative around children and how children suffer that has greater storytelling ability than telling the story of black single mum”.

Insight 1. Lived experience is system insight

“Stories of unsafe and unhealthy housing aren’t individual tragedies — they expose where the system is weakest.”

Insight 2. Accountability must be mandatory

“Accountability can’t be optional — it must be built into how the system works.”

Insight 3. Policy wins matter

“Parliament is starting to listen.”

ROTA’s advocacy influenced the Renters’ Rights Bill:

Baroness Janke cited ROTA’s briefings, recommending a full racial impact assessment of the Bill. (Hansard, 14 May 2025).

Insight 4. Fear and belonging

“It’s a scary time to exist as a Black person in these spaces.”

Insight 5. Community power rebuilds systems

“Collaboration over competition is the only way to build a legacy”.

This year, our project produced compelling animations and collaborated on a podcast with a housing expert, sharing our insights through public webinars.

ANIMATIONS
PODCAST
WEBINAR

Young, Black & Homeless in Britain | Animated Story

This film shares lived experiences and real stories. To protect the identities of those involved, names and voices have been anonymised and their stories are represented through animation.

Young people from BGM (Black and Global Majority) communities are too often missing from conversations homelessness. The racial lens is often missed, and experiences of disparity are often overlooked. This film helps bring those voices forward.

Black Men and Homelessness in Britain | Animated Story

Black people are almost four times more likely to become homeless in Britain.

The experiences of Black men facing homelessness in Britain are rarely heard. This animation sheds light on a reality that remains hidden in plain sight. Guided by lived experience and developed from insights in our advisory board, it reveals the emotional and physical toll of homelessness and the challenges Black men encounter when seeking support.

This Is Not Just My Story | Animated Story – Race on the Agenda

This final animation, “This Is Not Just My Story,” powerfully reinforces that these experiences are not unique. It shows how trauma and homelessness have become normalised in society, yet action is still lacking. The piece offers an honest glimpse into what it truly feels like to experience homelessness, highlighting both deeply personal struggles and the wider systemic issues behind them.

It also reminds us of the importance of accountability and compassion, especially when supporting individuals who have experienced trauma.

We believe it emphasises that housing justice cannot be achieved without racial justice.

Episode 8 of our podcast show ‘Talking About Race’, hosted by Dr Kulvinder Nagre, ROTA’s Research and Policy Coordinator.

In this episode, Kulvinder is joined by Leninna Ofori, housing expert, academic and author. Lennina also sits on the advisory board for our housing project, Brick by Brick.

We explore the question what would it mean to truly take racial discrimination in housing seriously not as an add-on, but as a structural issue requiring structural solutions?

This was our first video podcast, of our podcast show “Talking About Race”.

You can also listen to our podcast on the following platforms.

Visit our podcast page for all our other podcast episodes.

ROTA Podcasts

Recentering Race in Housing Justice: Brick by Brick webinars

On Wednesday, 12 February, we held 2 webinars at different times of the day to learn more about this transformative project and discover how you can get involved. You can watch the full webinar, here.