What this EQHRIA is assessing
This Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment has been carried out alongside and informed the preparation of our Local Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028.
The Local Housing Strategy is a key planning document that sets out Renfrewshire's strategic vision and priorities for the delivery of housing and housing related services for the period 2023 to 2028. It covers all tenures and types of accommodation.
It also sets out the Strategic Priorities we want to achieve and the range of actions the council and its partners will take to improve this over the next 5 years, fitting both national priorities and local needs.
What this EQHRIA has found
The Local Housing Strategy aims to positively benefit Renfrewshire’s communities. This assessment has not identified any elements that would negatively impact on people sharing protected characteristics, or people experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
The evidence gathered and data analysed indicates that the Renfrewshire Local Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028 will have a positive impact or neutral impact on equality and related matters.
Positive impacts include:
- Age: Older People - the strategy supports delivery of purpose-built housing to meet the identified housing needs of older people. It supports provision of a range of services in partnership with other departments, agencies and organisations that support independent living and help people remain in their own homes for longer.
- Age: Previously looked after Young People - the strategy recognises that the council is a Corporate Parent to young people previously looked after and accommodated by the local authority. There are measures in place to ensure that all young people are provided with support to access housing and prevent homelessness.
People with disabilities - the strategy supports delivery of purpose-built housing across different tenures to meet housing needs of people with physical disabilities and learning disabilities. - Sexual orientation - the strategy notes the council recognises the barriers that can be faced by members of the LGBT+ community when accessing housing services and advice.
- People living in poverty/socio-economic disadvantage - the strategy supports significant regeneration activity to deliver new warm, safe, and energy efficient homes that meet the needs of individuals and families.
- Gender - the strategy supports the delivery of a range of support measures, in partnership with other services and agencies, to address the disproportionate number of men who become homeless. This is particularly for those with complex needs arising from alcohol and substance misuse.
- Minority ethnic people – the strategy supports the delivery of actions by the council to assist refugees and asylum seekers, including families with children to settle in a safe environment. The strategy recognises the needs of Gypsy Travellers and Travelling Show People and we’ll work to meet their needs throughout the term of this Local Housing Strategy.
- Fairer Scotland Duty - the strategy aims to make a positive impact on the lives of people within Renfrewshire and its communities. Our assessment of the Local Housing Strategy recognises that it will have a positive impact on people on low incomes and material deprivation (unable to access items and activities deemed necessary for an acceptable standard of living) as a result of the development of housing in relation to local economies, through providing modern, energy efficient homes.
What happens next
As the assessment has not identified any elements that would adversely impact on people sharing protected characteristics, no changes should be made to the Local Housing Strategy 2023 to 2028.
More information
For more information on this Equality and Human Rights Impact Assessment (EQHRIA), email EQHRIA@renfrewshire.gov.uk