Get documents about "Empty Homes into Decent Homes Initial Equality Impact Assessment
Document Sample
Equality Impact Initial Assessment form
Directorate Section Person responsible for the
REGENERATION HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION assessment PHIL BROWN
Name of the Policy to Empty Homes into Date of Assessment Sep 2007 Is this a new New Policy
be assessed Decent Homes or existing
policy
1. Describe the aims, objectives and To bring long term (6 months and over) empty homes in the private sector back into occupation, by taking a
purpose of the policy proactive approach, including the use of compulsory powers where necessary. To prioritise the targeting of empty
properties.
2. Are there any associated objectives of No
the policy, please explain
3. Who is intended to benefit from the Residents affected by demolition proposals, and others who wish to purchase a previously empty home or to rent
policy and in what way it. It is intended to market some homes with preference to 1st time buyers, and to create initiatives to enable these
homes to be affordable.
4. What outcomes are wanted from this To tackle problematic properties on the basis of their length of being empty and their strategic importance in terms
policy? of location. To provide affordable homes and attempt to reduce overcrowding together with reducing the number
of long term empty houses across the borough.
5. What factors/forces could The lack of resources and targeted funding in specific strategic areas.
contribute/detract from the outcomes?
6. Who are the main stakeholders in RSL’s, private landlords, 7. Who implements the The Surveying Support Team (Housing
relation to the policy owners of empty private sector policy and who is Implementation Section) – part of the
homes responsible for the Regeneration Directorate
policy?
8. Are there concerns that the policy No. Any differential impact would be positive e.g. tackling overcrowding, promoting affordability.
could have a differential impact on racial Y N
groups. A positive aspect would be where the Strategy enabled properties to be acquired and offered to
adjacent owners for extending their existing home to alleviate overcrowding, or to provide a home in
an area where family support existed. Bringing empty homes back into use would have a positive
impact in neighbourhoods and help make them more attractive places in which to live.
The delivery of the Strategy will take time and the legal processes for compulsory acquisition where
owners are unknown or belligerent can be viewed as negative.
The Strategy provides limited options to access private sector housing, due to the relatively small
number of properties that the Council will acquire year on year by this process, and this could be
viewed as being a negative. However it encourages owners to take positive action themselves to sell
or let the property and as landlords assist in providing extra lettable accommodation.
The Strategy will be subject to local publicity via the newspapers, the Oldhamer, OMBC website,
posters in public buildings etc. The Strategy will be straplined in accordance with Council practice
Equality Impact Initial Assessment form
What existing evidence (either presumed or An analysis of the 100 active empty property files revealed 20% to be located in mainly ethnic communities. It
otherwise) do you have for this? was unreliable to use known ownerships as 68% were unknown, and 5% were company based. In determining
using compulsory purchase powers the property would have exhibited signs of being problematic to adjacent
properties, the streetscape, or the neighbourhood.
9. Are there concerns that the policy Homes would be available to all applicants regardless of gender (i.e. property based).
could have a differential impact due to Y N
gender
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
10. Are there concerns that the policy The policy does not specifically bring back empty homes into occupation for disabled persons
could have a differential impact due to Y N although it does not preclude them either. Whether a property is suitable or not depends on individual
disability requirements. Some homes offered may have better access /layout. If not, then assistance via
disabled Facilities grant to provide better facilities and access would be an option.
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
11. Are there concerns that the policy Homes would be available to all applicants regardless of sexual orientation (i.e. property based).
could have a differential impact on people Y N
due to sexual orientation
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
12. Are there concerns that the policy Homes would be available to all applicants regardless of age (i.e. property based).
could have a differential impact on people Y N
due to their age
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
13. Are there concerns that the policy Homes would be available to all applicants regardless of religious beliefs (i.e. property based).
could have a differential impact on people Y N
due to their religious belief
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
14. Are there concerns that the policy Any differential impact would be positive e.g. for those caring for people with disabilities who have
could have a differential impact on people Y N problems with access to and around their home, could apply for assistance to adapt the property to
due to them having dependants/caring suit their needs..
responsibilities
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
Equality Impact Initial Assessment form
15. Are there concerns that the policy Homes would be available to all applicants regardless (i.e. property based).
could have a differential impact on people Y N
due to their offending past
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
16. Are there concerns that the policy Homes would be available to all applicants regardless (i.e. property based).
could have a differential impact on people Y N
due to them being transgendered or
transsexual
What existing evidence (either presumed or
otherwise) do you have for this?
17. Are there concerns that the policy Elements of assistance are aimed at reducing fuel poverty and aiding vulnerable households. The
could have a differential impact on people Y N Strategy will aim to support the provision of affordable homes and offer options for relocating
due to issues surrounding poverty households displaced by clearance activity by using ‘Property Exchange’ route.
What existing evidence (either presumed or otherwise) do you
have for this?
18. Could the differential impact Could have a positive impact on those households who take up relocation assistance and provide an
identified in 8-17 amount to there YES NO impetus to uplifting streetscapes and neighbourhoods by reducing the blight effect that can result
being the potential for adverse from long term empty properties.
impact in this policy
19. Can this adverse impact be There would be no adverse impact on any one group by adopting this Strategy
justified on the grounds of
promoting equality of YES NO
opportunity for one group? Or
any other reason
20. Should the policy proceed to a 21. If Yes, is there enough evidence to proceed to a full
partial impact assessment YES NO EIA YES NO
22. Date on which Partial or Full impact assessment to be completed by
Signed (completing officer)__PB________________________ Signed (Lead Officer) __NC_______________________
