Housing and Infrastructure in Roma Communities: the Case for an Integrated Approach

Data Data on the situation of housing & infrastructure in Roma communities Preliminary results Research conducted between December January communities from 24 counties, from the PROROMI database: the poorest Roma communities facing serious difficulties

Methodology Methodology of the research: 3 instruments for data collection 1. Survey questionnaire 1. Survey questionnaire – 2000 households → indicators: quality of housing (surface, occupancy rates, amenities, building materials, access to water, heating, electricity, etc.) → 2,2% statistic error → representative at the level of Roma communities from PROROMI database

2. Questionnaire for the Local Public Authorities → indicators: infrastructure, connection of Roma houses to infrastructure, infrastructure projects in the last 5 years, status of land on which Roma built houses, inclusion of Roma communities in Urban General Plans, etc. → 79 questionnaires

3. Observation form 3. Observation form, filled in by the facilitator, in a participative manner (with local leaders and community members) → indicators: quality of infrastructure within the Roma community, facility of access to goods and services, existence of factors defining the presence of ghettos: natural & artificial barriers, existence of factors of risk for the health and security of inhabitants, etc. → 88 questionnaires

Preliminary results A. Housing (1) - poor access to utilities: → 15% of Roma households have no access to electricity → 96% have no hot water → 93% have no gas → only 2% have central heating → only 7% have a sewage system

A. Housing (2) - poor access to ''white goods'' / major appliances: → 56% of households do not have a refrigerator → 52% do not own a kitchen stove - poor quality housing: → 61% of communities are largely made of poor quality houses

A. Housing (3) - overcrowding: → a Roma household is made, on an average, of 6 members → a Roma house has, on an average, 2 rooms - 27% of Roma households have debts regarding household expenditures (utilities) - 44% of Roma households have no ownership papers for their houses

A. Housing (4) - 25% of households do not have a kitchen - example of cooking amenities in a Roma community, Vaslui county → - 79% of households do not have a bathroom / toilet

B. Infrastructure (1) - in 23% of the communities, the access is difficult or totally impossible after rain / snow - in 9% of the communities the access is not possible for the ambulance or the fire brigade - in 28% of the communities, there is electricity only partially - differences in infrastructure between Roma and non-Roma: unequal public spending

Differences in infrastructure: Roma & non-Roma

B. Infrastructure (2) - 51% of Roma communities do not have a certified drinking water source - example of a community water source in Argeş county→

B. Infrastructure (3) the Roma shanty town / ghetto: → isolated (37%) → peripheric (52%) → monoethnic (57%) → delimited by natural or artificial barriers (16%) → limited or difficult access to public services (health, education, local authorities, etc.) → presence of hazards for the health or safety of inhabitants (24%): unprotected railroads, polluted industrial zones, etc.

B. Infrastructure (4)

C. Perspectives and conclusions (1) - introducing Roma housing and infrastructure on local agendas ↔ 14% of the Roma communities in the research were either partially or not included in the Urban General Plan - comprehensive data on Roma communities is essential - ensuring cooperation with Roma civil society - breaking the vicious circle of social exclusion

C. Perspectives and conclusions (2) The integrated approach: - housing as the main factor of social inclusion - poor housing = poor health, poor participation on the labour market, low levels of education, low levels of public participation and self- esteem

C. Perspectives and conclusions (3) Essential ingredients: - participation and implication of Roma communities - consultation with Roma civil society - data from Roma communities

For more information: Agenţia de Dezvoltare Comunitară“Împreună”