Thousands of hectares of open space on social housing estates are being wasted and are worsening inequality, according to a report by government adviser the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

In a report published today, CABE says that there a huge divide between the green space available for ethnic minorities on housing estates and that available for white people.

Where inner-city residents are almost entirely white, there is 11 times more green space than where 40% of residents are black or minority ethnic.

The report, called Decent Homes Need Decent Spaces, says there should be more scope for communities to take over temporarily vacant land.

It also urges registered social landlords and local authorities responsible for green spaces to work with voluntary groups to make it easier for people to improve the green spaces on their doorsteps.

It says thousands of hectares of development land and open space on social housing estates are being underused because of poor quality, which it says represents a big opportunity to tackle inequality and improve health and wellbeing in inner cities.

One per cent of people living in social housing reported they use the green space on their estate, according to CABE’s research.

Half of the 500 people interviewed said they would do more exercise if green spaces were improved, and half expected they would have better mental health.

Sarah Gaventa, director of public space at CABE, said: “Improving green space benefits those that have most to gain, especially people living in flats.

“There are four million households living in social housing, and half of those residents are under 16. Even when funding is tight, green deserts can still be transformed into lovely, safe places where people want to be.”

To read the full report click here: decent-homes-need-decent-spaces

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