Confronting Islamophobia: The Role of Housing in Building Inclusive Communities

I’ve just been reading the Runnymede Trust’s November 2024 report, Islamophobia: The Intensification of Racism Against Muslim Communities in the UK, which highlights how anti-Muslim racism—or Islamophobia—has deepened across society. The report frames this issue as not merely a product of individual prejudice but as a systemic, structural issue perpetuated by public policies, institutional practices, and socio-political narratives.

Anti-Muslim sentiment has intensified through political discourse and media representation, particularly during the 2024 general election. The normalisation of far-right narratives has not only fuelled hate crimes but has also shaped public attitudes and institutional responses, The report goes onto say ‘the general election was a microcosm of how Muslims in general are spoken of – as if they are not in the room, not part of the country … the result is right-wing rhetoric about Muslims that goes unchallenged (and) affects not only policy but media coverage and public attitude’.

This report highlights the numerous different ways that deep-seated forms of Islamophobia have intensified over this year showing the structural and violent nature of Islamophobia in 2024.

So, what has this got to do with us who work in the housing sector?

I see the housing sector as a critical site for addressing Islamophobia; it has the potential to either perpetuate exclusion or promote fairness. Addressing these systemic inequalities is not only a moral issue but a necessary step towards fostering inclusive and cohesive neighbourhoods.

Islamophobia has a long and profound impact on social housing – it exacerbates housing inequalities and creates barriers for British Muslims. Research shows that Muslims are one of the most economically disadvantaged groups in the country with nearly half experiencing household poverty compared to a national average of 18%​. This economic disparity is compounded by Islamophobic discrimination in accessing housing and public services.

The residential segregation of Muslim communities, partly driven by discriminatory practices, exacerbates the problem. Concentrated poverty in predominantly Muslim neighbourhoods leads to limited access to quality housing and public resources​. Furthermore, the stigma surrounding Islamophobic attitudes discourages many Muslim tenants from reporting unfair treatment, further perpetuating cycles of inequality.

We can address these challenges through advocating for inclusive policies and better representation of minorities in decision-making roles the sector. A prioritisation of anti-racist training and will also contribute.  Advocating for and trying to build mixed communities, breaking down concentrations of deprivation and tailoring new development to the economic aspirations of areas that we work in is a step in the right direction.

There should be an emphasis on grassroots and community-led approaches. By empowering Muslim communities to advocate for their housing rights and actively involving them in decision-making processes, housing organisations can build trust and ensure that policies address the lived realities of those affected. Such collaboration is vital to counter the systemic nature of Islamophobia and to foster long-term social cohesion​.

Written by,
Mushtaq Khan
Chief Executive
Housing Diversity Network