Migrant 'clustering' can be beneficial

POLICIES THAT encourage the clustering of migrant communities can be beneficial to society, a new report suggests.

Making a Home in Irelanddocumented the experiences of Chinese, Indian, Lithuanian and Nigerian migrants in settling in parts of Dublin within the Fingal area.

The report, which was commissioned by Immigrant Council of Ireland and Focus Ireland, called for the mainstreaming of migrant integration into local and national housing policies.

Focus Ireland chief executive Joyce Loughnan said clustering of migrant communities was a “natural occurrence” as long as the communities did not turn into ghettos.

“To avoid clusters becoming ghettos, it is vital there is investment in youth services, housing advice and information and local amenities which benefit all the community.”

The report found those who lived in local authority housing, owner-occupied housing and newly built premises to rent generally had good housing conditions

Many, though, living in privately rented accommodation reported serious problems including overcrowding, damp, insecurity of tenure and, in some cases, discrimination by landlords.