Carried out by Tenant Information Service (TIS), the study explores the experiences and representation of tenants from ethnic minority backgrounds in Scotland’s social housing sector.

Conducted between April and October 2025, the research highlights several persistent barriers to participation:

• Underrepresentation of ethnic minority tenants in engagement structures
• Language and accessibility challenges that make it harder to take part
• Experiences of discrimination among tenants
• A lack of trust in existing engagement structures

The research also identifies examples of positive practice across Scotland. However, it makes clear that more consistent and proactive approaches are needed if participation is to be genuinely inclusive.

The findings arrive at a time of shifting social and political conditions. Across Scotland and the wider UK, increasingly prominent debates around immigration, identity and belonging, alongside concerns about racism and discrimination, have brought questions of inclusion and community cohesion into sharper focus.

While the research offers a snapshot of participation during 2025, its findings raise important questions for the sector today. Chief among them is how do we ensure that all tenants, regardless of their background, feel safe, welcome and empowered to influence decisions about their homes and communities?

A TIS spokesperson said: “At TIS, we believe meaningful tenant participation must reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. As the landscape around us continues to change, that responsibility becomes increasingly important.

“We hope this research will encourage honest reflection, constructive discussion and practical action across Scotland’s social housing sector.”