Housing policies promoting integration and community cohesion at local level

Abstract:

The objective of this paper is to show how housing policies can promote integration and community cohesion at the local level by developing the relevant evidence based policy arguments. Successful integration, namely the development of the capacity to accept and respect ‘difference’, results in improved community cohesion by removing social and cultural barriers between members of different ethnic communities, which improves communication and interaction.

This paper is intended as a useful resource for policy-makers and practitioners when developing policies or taking measures in the area of housing promoting integration and community cohesion.

The paper identifies and analyses different interventions in this context, and highlights some examples of ‘good practices’ from different EU Member States.