Adult Care and Housing Specialist Housing Addendum to the Market Position Statement June 2024

The 2021 census recorded that people who had identified as BAME made up 6.64% of the overall population of Gateshead and it is likely that this will lead to increasing numbers of older BAME residents over time.

However, at present the district has an exceptionally low proportion of BAME older people, representing just 0.6% of those aged 65 and over in Gateshead. Given this very low percentage and the diversity within the BAME residents it is unlikely that provision for any BAME specific needs could be sustained in the district.

Notwithstanding the above, where any part of the community identifies an unmet need there should be separate analysis to identify potential options for meeting that specific requirement. BAME and faith groups may well be able to support types and scales of provision that the public sector could not, while still needing guidance and access to resources in order to plan, fund and deliver their own services.