THE CLUSTERING of migrants in some areas may develop into segregation unless social integration is made a key aim of housing policy, according to a Government-funded report to be published tomorrow.
Although it has found there is currently little evidence of segregation, the study warns this could change where low incomes narrowed newcomers' choice of neighbourhood and Irish residents chose to move out because they felt their area had become too diverse.
The emergence of segregated schools could compound the problem.
Published by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, this is the first major report on the relationship between housing policy and integration.
The natural tendency of migrants to live among other newcomers means that some geographical clustering is inevitable, says the report. However, international experience suggests that residential areas with mixed tenures - including owned, privately rented and social housing - significantly reduces the potential for segregation.
"A key challenge in housing and wider integration policy is to create the conditions where clustering does not develop into segregation, a process that will have a negative impact on the integration process and will also contribute to racism in Ireland," the report says.
It claims the Republic has been fortunate that the growth in the migrant population has coincided with high rates of house-building and an expansion in the provision of good quality private-rented housing.
However, despite a generally upbeat assessment of housing quality and supply, there is emerging evidence of "hidden overcrowding" where people share dwellings to meet housing and childcare costs. Others living in older, private-rented properties report damp, cramped conditions and a lack of central heating.
It says there is also a danger that migrant householders are becoming overly concentrated in the private-rented sector, with few official incentives to encourage long-term tenants into home ownership.
Another problem experienced by a minority of migrants was anti-social behaviour motivated by racism.
"These problems are experienced by those in all forms of housing tenure and are not confined to disadvantaged areas. These incidents include damage to property, arson, harassment and assaults," the report states.
"They need to be addressed by a range of public agencies and community organisations working together in a more systematic way than at present."
The study, which was part-funded by the Department of the Environment and the National Action Plan Against Racism, recommends that the Government and local authorities build an intercultural dimension into housing and neighbourhood planning policy.
It suggests that Government should also ensure long-term residents have access to affordable home-ownership schemes and social housing.
"Most migrant/minority communities in Ireland . . . are effectively excluded from social housing and from affordable homes initiatives. Unless this policy changes, migrants - including those who are long-term residents in Ireland - will be significantly disadvantaged in the housing market.
"In future years this may contribute to greater clustering of non-Irish residents in the private-rented sector.
"Over time this may have significant negative implications for integration and economic independence for migrant families."