This groundbreaking study examines two neglected areas in studies of housing and minority groups and of social relations between different marginalized communities. First, the book examines the largely enforced settlement of the UK's Gypsy and Traveller populations into conventional housing. Despite the size of this settlement and a plethora of interest in the housing related experiences of other minority groups, this is the only in-depth study to address the settlement of Britain's formerly nomadic people. The material is presented thematically and explores routes into housing; lived experien ... More

This groundbreaking study examines two neglected areas in studies of housing and minority groups and of social relations between different marginalized communities. First, the book examines the largely enforced settlement of the UK's Gypsy and Traveller populations into conventional housing. Despite the size of this settlement and a plethora of interest in the housing related experiences of other minority groups, this is the only in-depth study to address the settlement of Britain's formerly nomadic people. The material is presented thematically and explores routes into housing; lived experiences in ‘bricks and mortar’ social support mechanisms and adaptations to settlement. The qualitative material forms a compelling account of the gendered and generational articulations of these trends by examining community dynamics and how collective identities and community structures are constructed within housing. Second, the book examines social relations between housed Gypsies and Travellers and their (often poor and marginalized) ‘settled’ neighbours. This is the first investigation of the historical and contemporary manifestations of inter-group relations in a British context. Through comparative case studies the complex and contradictory nature of social relations on housing estates where Gypsies form an increasingly prominent population are examined. The book is an original and important sociological account of intergroup relations in low income areas. The empirical material is situated within its wider historical and policy framework, which allows fundamental questions concerning citizenship, diversity and inclusion in contemporary societies to be addressed.