Last week (5/2/26) our CEO Katy Saunders and Senior Grants Manager Oliver Soutar were invited to the House of Lords for a special event hosted by Lord Best. It was the launch of the research report ‘Amar bari, amar jibon (My home, my life): Developing suitable living environments for Bangladeshi elders.’
The report is the culmination of a 36-month research project. It was funded by the Vivensa Foundation and led by The Open University in partnership with the Bangla Housing Association and the Housing LIN. Working alongside community co-researchers, transcribers and advisory groups, this collective effort resulted in truly meaningful and impactful research. You can read an article on how community co-researchers played a crucial part in the project here.
Health and housing inequalities
The project sought to better understand the health and housing inequalities faced by older Bangladeshi individuals (‘probin’ in Bangla) living in East London – home to the UK’s largest Bangladeshi community. The report highlights how current housing provision often fails to meet the needs, cultural preferences, and lived realities of the Bangladeshi probin community. It also draws attention to ‘functional overcrowding.’ This leads to lack of privacy, family tensions, and barriers to cultural and faith practices that are essential for ageing well in place.
One thing emerges clearly from the report: the urgent need for housing policy to recognise the legitimate diversity of household structures in the UK. Intergenerational and multigenerational households are valued ways of living and deserve appropriate housing provision.
It was inspiring to see this research in the heart of Westminster. We echo the words of Lord Best in his introduction to the report: “I hope this important report will serve as a catalyst for change, transforming perceptions into action for older Bangladeshi adults. The insights it offers are invaluable not only for these communities, but for consideration of housing policies for all our diverse, ageing population.”
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You can read the full Amar bari, amar jibon research report here.
Watch the animated stories on YouTube here.
