ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the choices made by black migrants to Britain were often made in the light of the well founded anticipation of discrimination. 'Choices' made by African Caribbeans in relation to housing can similarly be seen as being made within a context of the constraints of decisions made within prevailing racialised constructions. The complexities of the way in which experiences and decision making interrelate are illustrated in the housing histories of African Caribbean people in Leicester. The housing problems that black people had, during the 1950s and 1960s were been little understood by the rest of the local population. Some attention was paid to the problems black people had in finding accommodation, but this was often presented alongside myth and prejudice about West Indians. The policies of local authorities were constrained and influenced by central government. Initiatives by local authorities related to legislation which was controlled through financial management.
