Community Cohesion - Building Good Relations Through Housing

About community cohesion

It is our duty to make sure that housing is provided on the basis of need. There is no doubt that community division and segregation affects many aspects of our lives. This can prevent the best use being made of existing housing and land.

People who need housing in the social and affordable sectors must have greater choice. If we are to meet housing need in all its forms we must work to make progress. Because of this, the promotion of good relations is one of our key objectives.

We published our first community relations strategy in March 2004. We also made a firm commitment in our 2004/2005 Corporate and Business Plan to promote good relations.

Among our aims is a commitment to promote mixed housing where it is practicable, desirable and safe. You can read more about our Good Relations Strategy here.

What is it?

Community cohesion is about:

  • Creating a common vision and sense of belonging for everyone

  • Valuing and appreciating people from different backgrounds and circumstances

  • Providing similar life opportunities for people from different backgrounds

  • Developing strong, positive relationships between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods

  • Brokering good relations between groups and communities

About this section

This section of the site is a summary of some of the key principles of community cohesion and good relations. We also explain the work that our Community Cohesion Unit does. This new unit is charged with translating our community relations objectives into actions on the ground.

Our approach is set within five themes:

1. Flags, Emblems and Sectional Symbols

2. Segregation/Integration

3. Race Relations

4. Interface Areas

5. Communities in Transition.

To make this work we need co-operation and communication between communities, agencies and individuals.

Community cohesion depends ultimately on trust and safety. While the delivery of this is beyond the remit of a single agency, we will continue to contribute through policies, partnerships, investment and resource allocation to speed up the pace of change.