FRA Director Morten Kjaerum: "Our report on housing shows that many regional and local authorities in the EU are reluctant to adopt and implement adequate Roma housing policies. Authorities need to act urgently, as poor housing conditions and residential segregation also have a negative impact on education, employment and health for the Roma. For example, living in segregated sites makes it difficult for Roma children to have access to schools, and for Roma and Travellers to find work and to get to work."
Unacceptable housing conditions
Many Roma and Travellers in the EU have to live in informal settlements without basic infrastructure, often in hardly habitable dwellings, without prospects of legalising their homes and improving the quality of their housing. Very often Roma housing areas have poor access to public services, employment and schools, as well as an inadequate supply of water, electricity or gas.
High segregation rates
Segregation exists in many Member States, sometimes as a result of deliberate policy choices made by local authorities and/or national governments.
Forced evictions
The report highlights forced evictions from municipal accommodation, even of Roma who are regular rent payers. These evictions often happen without prior notice, and may involve police violence and destruction of personal property. There are many cases where authorities fail to provide alternative housing and/or adequate compensation for expropriation.
Discrimination
Discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin in access to housing is legally forbidden. However, an FRA survey shows that many Roma experience discrimination which varies considerably between Member States. In one Member State, 34% of Roma reported discrimination in access to housing.
Low number of official complaints due to lack of knowledge
70% of Roma do not know that laws exist which prohibit their discrimination in access to housing. 71% think nothing would happen if they reported it, and 41% are unsure how to report discrimination. As a result, the number of official complaints remains very low.
Based on the findings of its report, the Agency advises:
FRA Reports on Roma Housing http://fra.europa.eu
For further questions please contact Ms. Heller at the FRA media team: E-mail: media@fra.europa.eu Tel.: +43 158 030 - 642
Notes to editors: