Initial Screening- Black and Minority Ethnic
(BME) Housing Strategy
Equality Impact Assessment – screening.
Name of Strategy/Policy: BME Housing Strategy
Date of Assessment: 2nd March 2010
Is this a new or updated Policy?
New
Updated
How is the Strategy/Policy finalised/adopted: Cabinet/Board
Delegated
Lead Officer conducting the assessment: Lauren Humber
Job Title:
Service area:
Housing Strategy Officer
Housing
Contact details: 01604 838773
[email protected]
Others involved in the assessment
Gary Parsons – Housing Strategy and Policy Manager
Identify what the activity is trying to achieve – why is the Policy/activity
required
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
Northampton Borough Council’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) housing
strategy has been developed as a result of Government statistics, which show
BME communities usually have specific housing needs and aspirations.
To identify specific housing needs and aspirations of BME communities
To ensure that the needs of the BME communities are accounted for during
Northampton’s future strategic planning.
To provide warm, dry and secure homes in sustainable neighbourhoods for
BME groups
Provide BME residents across the borough with a choice of housing that meets
their needs.
To ensure easy access to any of our housing services and that every BME
resident is treated fairly without discrimination.
Purpose of the Policy/ Activity.


The BME Housing Strategy is designed to provide a framework to ensure that
BME communities in Northampton receive appropriate housing-related services.
It links into the Council’s Housing Strategy 2010 - 2015 which over-arches all
housing-related strategies.
The Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) housing strategy has been developed
specifically to look in detail at BME housing needs and aspirations including
difficulties accessing Local Authority services.

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The production of this Strategy is an action identified in the Council’s overarching
Housing Strategy 2010-2015; to Create Resilient and Cohesive Communities and
therefore fits within and complements the Housing Strategy and its vision that:
We will support well- maintained, affordable and environmentally sustainable
homes of all tenures, and neighbourhoods where people choose to live. We will
promote access, opportunity and choice for all sections of our community.
The BME Housing Strategy will conclude with action points that will need to be
carried out over the next 5 years to improve BME housing needs across the
town.
Identify the main beneficiaries or people affected by the issue


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All BME residents and their families living in Northampton.
People from other areas migrating into Northampton.
Individual members of staff asked to deliver on actions from the BME Housing
Strategy.
Other Housing support agencies in Northampton
What information exists already?



Northampton Housing Strategy BME Housing Strategy 2007 – 2010
Northamptonshire: Study of Black and Minority Ethnic Housing and Support
Needs
Equalities Act 2010
Has any consultation been undertaken on this or related issue?

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210 face to face peer interviews
BBC Northampton - The inspiration Show and The Asian Show
4 Focus groups
Talk held with the Northampton Women’s Muslim forum
Consultation period for the BME Housing Strategy will be held from 14th May to
6th August 2010 giving everyone a chance to comment on the new strategy.
Talking New Article on NAB
Are any reports or other relevant documents available from our
organisation or from partners or other sources?
Yes- all documents and reports available on NBC web site.
Which parts of the activity have the potential for adverse impact or to
discriminate unlawfully?
The BME Housing Strategy could have an adverse effect on the following.

Religion
Gender
 Race
 Disability
 Sexuality
 Age
These will be looking into in more depth on the full EIA assessment.

Could a particular sector of the community be disadvantaged by the
strategy/policy.
Yes
No

There could possibly be concern that a strategy designed to assist BME
communities may alienate non-BME groups.

Smaller BME groups may get less focus and less resources dedicated to them if
there is more housing needs in the larger BME groups.
I agree that this policy/activity should not proceed to a full Impact
Assessment
Confirmed by:
Lauren Humber
Signed by:
Date 2nd March 2010
Please attach a copy of this screening to the document it relates

Copy to be sent to Policy Team Leader at [email protected]

Full Impact Assessment - BME Housing
Strategy
Full Equality Impact Assessment -Report
1.0 Introduction
1.1 This report is an Equality Impact Assessment undertaken on the BME Housing
Strategy. The assessment will look at perceived risk and adverse impact on particular
groups. The Action Plan at the end of this report will set out the plans to follow up this
assessment.
1.2 This strategy has been produced as a result of Government statistics, which show
BME communities usually, have specific housing needs and aspirations including
difficulties accessing Local Authority services and generally live in poorer quality
housing.
1.3 Northampton has a growing BME population both in respect of numbers of the BME
population and the increasing diversity of that population, it is estimated that the BME
population has risen from 12% in 2001 to 16% in 2009. Northampton Borough Council
recognises that many BME groups may have different housing needs and we wish to
address these needs, so we therefore carried out a Housing Needs survey to identify
any needs in which the following key issues were highlighted:

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





Increase awareness of housing support and advice services amongst BME
communities.
Develop a specialist housing advice service to support BME households in the
Private Rented sector.
Promote low-cost homeownership products
Build more larger family sized accommodation
Ensure Housing is available in preferred areas of the town
BME sensitive design briefs for all future affordable housing schemes
Review of standards before council properties are offered for re- letting.
A review of any staff training needs created by the changing and increasing
demands on the service from BME households.
Commitment to build further relationships with BME communities
1.4 Northampton Borough Council recognises that some of these issues affect all
ethnicity groups not just BME and we will be delivering and monitoring these actions to
improve everyone’s housing needs in Northampton.
2.0 Background
2.1 The BME Housing Strategy is designed to provide a framework to ensure that BME
communities in Northampton receive appropriate housing-related services. It will link into
the Council’s Housing Strategy 2010- 2015, which over-arches all housing-related
strategies and links with a wide range of other local strategies and plans.
2.2 The BME Housing Strategy could have an adverse effect on the following.






Religion
Gender
Race
Disability
Sexuality
Age
2.3 The main perceived problems identified are:

There could possibly be concern that a strategy designed to assist BME
communities may alienate non-BME groups.

Smaller BME groups may get less focus and less resources dedicated to them if
there is more housing needs in the larger BME groups.
2.4 The BME Action Plan 2010 – 2013, is delivering the actions identified within the BME
Housing Strategy. These key actions will be taken forward by different Housing
departments and are subject to funding and viability. This action plan will be
monitored closely by the Housing Strategy Steering Panel. (HSSP)
3.0 Baseline data and research
3.1 The strategy has been developed from the results of a BME Housing Needs Survey,
which was carried out by a specialist consultant; Ecotec. Three research methods were
used in order to gain the best possible snap shot of Northampton’s BME population and
their needs.
3.2 Stage one was a desktop review of all available contextual information and data;
including Office of National Statistics (ONS), National Census of Population
(CENSUS), Congress of Racial Equality (CRE), Continuous Recording system
(CORE), data held by the Council e.g. details of service users etc, data from partner
organisation e.g. tenant makeup and a literature review of the national, regional and
local divers.
3.3 Stage two was Semi- Structured interviews done by peer interviewers, in which they
completed 210 questionnaires. These questionnaires asked 40 questions relating to:
 Current accommodation
 Current neighbourhood
 Future Housing needs




Emerging new households
Support needs
Access to Housing Services
Household Makeup
3.4 Ecotec used the secondary data to determine how many people from each ethnicity
group we needed to complete a proportion of questionnaires. Using the census
figures to reflect the increased populations of Black African and White Other groups
the numbers of interviews obtained were as follows:
Irish
15
Bangladeshi
15
White Other
44
Black Caribbean
29
Mixed ethnic groups
17
Black African
35
Indian
28
Chinese
8
Pakistani
8
Other
11
3.5 Stage three was the focus groups and five in depth interviews largely conducted by
telephone but with one face to face. The people used in this stage were a mixture of
male and female and different age ranges. Those taking part were recruited from
those who had completed the main survey and were selected because they fell into
one or more of the groups who seemed of most interest e.g. Black African, Other
White, renting privately or being dissatisfied with services they had received.
3.6 For the purpose of this research Gypsies and travellers were not included within this
research as a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment was commissioned
in 2008 to identify the needs of this community in Northamptonshire.
3.7 Full use will been made of existing forums for consultation with partners and other
stakeholders during the development of the strategy, and these forums will also
provide the basis for on-going discussion of new issues or data etc.
3.8 The strategy document contains details of how to feed back comments to the
Council, and the ‘MyHome’ newsletter will provide opportunity to feed back on a
regular basis.
4.0 BME Housing Action Plan
PRIORITY 1: Improve Housing Services, Advice & Info
No.
1.1
1.2
Objective
Increase
awareness of
housing support
and advice
services
amongst BME
communities.
1.3
1.4
1.5
Develop a
specialist
housing advice
service to
Milestones & Actions
Monitoring & Progress
Lead person
Start
Finish
Monitored
by
Work in partnership with other
support agencies in order to
spread the load of expectation
but also create awareness and
impart reliable information.
September
March
2011
HSSP
Housing Solutions Manager
Focus on offering housing
advice and service information
to the newer ethnicities.
September
2010
March
2012
HSSP
Housing Solutions Manager
Increase publicity through
targeted campaigns and through
BME group specific literature.
September
January
2011
HEAP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
When communicating with
tenants, make best use of the
tenant profile information to
maximise awareness and access
to services
September
2010
March
2011
HEAP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
Promote housing advice
services through BME group
specific literature including
website improvements
September
2010
March
2011
HEAP
Housing Solutions Manager
2010
2010
1.6
1.7
support BME
households in
the Private
Rented sector.
Write a private sector housing
strategy the aims of which will
include improving private
sector housing standards from
BME residents and non-BME
residents.
September
2010
Feb 2011
HSSP
Housing Strategy Manager
1.8
Carry out a stock condition
survey of Private rented
accommodation.
April 2010
July 2010
HSSP
Housing solutions Manger
1.9
Target landlords in specific
BME community areas with
literature on their rights and
duties.
September December
2010
2010
HSSP
Housing solutions Manger
1.10
Provide new BME Households
through the CBL System into
the Private Rented Sector with
detailed information on their
rights
September December
2010
2010
HSSP
Housing solutions Manger
1.11
1.12
Review of
standards
before council
properties are
offered for reletting.
To carry out a review of
Northampton’s re-lettable
standards and these to be
monitored closely by Property
Maintenance Manager.
To achieving decent homes
standards by 2014.
June 2010
Mar 2011
HSSP
Property Maintenance
Manager/ Housing Service
Manager
Ongoing
September
2010
2014
HSSP
Housing Asset Manager
PRIORITY 2: Increase Choice
No.
Objective
Milestones & Actions
Monitoring & Progress
Lead person
Start
Finish
Monitored
by
Produce a leaflet explaining in
plain English for BME resident
and non-BME residents how
Shared ownership works and
explain other affordable
products that are available.
September
2010
January
2011
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
Targeted publicity campaigns
and the production of BME
group-specific literature
September
2010
January
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
2.3
Ensure Northampton Borough
council’s web page on Shared
ownership is explained in easy
terms and is easily accessible.
August
2010
January
2011
HEAP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
2.4
Work in partnership with other
agencies to produce a resource
pack about home ownership
and home maintenance
September
2010
January
2011
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
Build more larger properties in
desirable locations
September
2010
April 2013
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
2.1
Promote lowcost
homeownership
products
2.2
2.5
Ensure Housing
is available in
2011
2.6
preferred areas
of the town
Improve the poorer council
estates so they become more
desirable as a location to settle.
September
2010
April 2013
HSSP
Housing Services Manager
2.7
BME sensitive
design briefs for
all future
affordable
housing schemes
Development of BME sensitive September
design briefs for application to
2010
all future affordable housing
schemes
September
2011
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
All housing designed for
households from minority
ethnic, religious and cultural
backgrounds should follow the
principles and guidance set out
in NHF Accommodating
Diversity – Housing Design in
Multicultural Society.
September
2011
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
2.8
September
2010
PRIORITY 3: Looking Ahead
No.
3.1
Objective
Build more
larger family
sized
accommodation
Milestones & Actions
Development of planning
policies, which ensure that a
proportion of new
developments are provided as
larger properties.
Monitoring & Progress
Start
Finish
Monitored
by
September
2010
April
2011
HSSP
Lead person
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
3.2
To build more larger council
owned homes or work in
partnership with Housing
Associations to build larger
homes
September
2010
April
2013
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
3.3
Develop a programme to
increase the supply of
affordable homes in the
Borough.
September
2010
April
2013
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
A review of any
staff training
needs created by
the changing and
increasing
demands on the
service from
BME
households.
Training for all frontline
housing staff that focuses on
dealing with BME housing
issues, including interpreting
and translating guidance.
September
2010
May
2011
HEAP
HR
Working in partnership with
other organisations to ensure
that they deal with BME
housing needs efficiently and
without discrimination.
September
2010
January
2011
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
Commitment to
build further
relationships
with BME
communities
Making sure this document and
any further BME focused
material is consulted on with all
the BME communities.
May 2010
August
2010
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
Expand the BME housing
forum
April 2010
May
2010
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
Improve signage in the One
Stop Shop.
September
2010
March
2011
HSSP
Housing Strategy and
Performance Manager
5.0 Consultation
5.1 The reason we are carrying out consultation on this document is to inform, publicise
and promote interest in this piece of work but to also publicise evidence which backs up
why we have written this document and concluded on the key actions we think need
addressing.
5.2 Consultation will help to identify and bring together individuals views about housing
in Northampton
5.3 Consultation will help uncover the extent to which local communities and relevant
other stakeholder groups agree with the identified priorities of the
BME Housing Strategy.
5.4 Consultation can help target resources by informing a problem solving approach to
devising local solutions to local problems. Communities are often more flexible and
creative in problem solving, solution focusing and implementation. Some of there
creative ideas could help solve key actions.
5.5 Consultation was carried out while developing the strategy making people aware that
the Housing Needs Survey is being carried out by Northampton Borough Council and to
try and get people involved.
5.6 We have already done the following:
 210 face to face peer interviews
 Interviews on BBC Northampton - The inspiration Show and The Asian Show
 4 Focus groups
 Talk held with the Northampton Women’s Muslim forum
 Talking New Article on NAB
 Made key contacts including community leaders in each BME community.
5.7 Consultation period for the BME Housing Strategy will be held from 14th May to 6th
August 2010 giving everyone a chance to comment on the new strategy.
5.8 We plan to follow the consultation toolkit. The tool kit is broken down into eight
steps:
Step 1 - Defining your project aims and objectives
Step 2 - Resourcing your consultation
Step 3 - The level and method of consultation required
Step 4 - Identifying with whom to consult
Step 5 - making sure your consultation is inclusive
Step 6 - Planning your consultation
Step 7 - Using the results
Step 8 - Evalution of your consultation
5.9 Once all comments have been received at the end of the consultation process we
plan to evaluate this and amend the strategy to suit the end user. (The people we have
consulted with).
6.0 Results of the consultation
(Insert at end of consultation period)
7.0 Assessment of impact on particular groups
7.1 Religion
7.1.1 There could possibly be concern that the strategy may have adverse impact
because there is no provision for the preference of some religious beliefs to have
separate living rooms for males and females. However, with the limited stock available
and high demand for housing, granting such a preference would create an adverse
impact on those applicants with caring responsibilities who require large family-sized
properties.
7.1.2 Religious beliefs are not monitored at point of delivery. The Council has robust
policies in place to tackle any harassment, and these results will continue to be
monitored, together with reports from our own staff, multi-agency forums and feedback
from the newsletter.
7.2 Gender
7.2.1 In 2007 Northampton Borough Council consulted on and adopted a Gender
Equality Scheme for the period 2007-2010. The scheme has been incorporated into our
Single Equality Scheme and has been reviewed in 2009.
7.2.2 All actions from the BME Housing Strategy are not discriminating agaist any
gender. We aim to improve our services to all BME residents regardless what gender
they are.
7.3 Race
7.3.1 There could possibly be concern that a strategy designed to assist BME
communities may alienate non-BME groups. However, the strategy will help all local
people to feel part of the community where they live, which will build strong, vibrant
communities and make Northampton a better place for everyone.
7.3.2 Many of the residents we wish to consult wish who do not class English as there
first language, so it is stated in the Strategy document that it is available in different
languages on request (as are all Housing information leaflets) and interpreter services
are available.
7.3.3 As part of the data supporting the BME Housing Strategy is from CENSUS 2001
and estimated CENSUS data, we will be monitoring ethnicity and will update once
CENSUS 2011 has been complete.
7.3.4 For the interview stage of the BME Housing Needs Survey Ecotec used the
secondary data to determine how many people from each ethnicity group we needed to
complete a proportion of questionnaires. This made sure we established all the needs
from the different groups not just focusing on the over represented groups.
7.4 Disability
7.4.1 Disability is an issue that is looked into on a Borough wide basis not just a BME
resident. A large number of disabled adaptations are undertaken each year to adapt
properties for a specific resident. The Council has developed housing schemes for
special needs clients e.g. clients with learning disabilities. There is also are tenancy
support service; Gateway. Gateway is a new housing service provided by the council for
vulnerable people who have housing needs.
It aims to help people with a range of circumstances e.g. fleeing domestic abuse, young
single homeless households, homeless families, people with complex multiple
needs, alcohol and or drug addiction, a history of offending, learning difficulties, physical
disabilities and mental health needs.
7.5 Sexuality
7.6 Age
The younger age group were not included in the initial BME Housing Needs Survey and
the youngest person interviewed was . We only got responses of younger peoples
housing needs through the parent or guardian completing the questionnaire. As these
finding have been integrated into the BME Housing Strategy therefore this could effect
the key actions as this may have been overlooked.
It should give details of any ways in which the policy / activity could have an
adverse impact on any of these groups e.g. where any equalities groups are
over- or under-represented. Indicate if there are any positive impacts.
How will this impact be addressed?
This should outline all the options that were considered to mitigate the adverse
impact of the policy / activity i.e. modifications to the way the policy operates. In
other words - you have looked at the data and identified issues – What are you
going to do about them? It should have a clear list of actions that you intend to
take as a result of the equality impact assessment’s findings.
Include actions in an Action and Improvement Plan. Note that these actions
need to be reflected in your service/team plans so that they can be
monitored and performance managed in line with the council’s corporate
performance framework.
Performance and monitoring arrangements
This should outline the monitoring or data collection systems that have been put
in place to monitor any adverse impact in the future with the timetable for action
and how you will use the results to develop policy and practice. It should be clear
how the actions identified above would be monitored. Who will check they are
done? Have the relevant performance indicators been included and are they part
of the service/corporate performance framework?
Publication of EIA
This should state how you intend to publish the equality impact assessment and
to let all interested parties know the outcome of the equality impact assessment.
The minimum legal requirement is that a summary will be on the council’s
website. Template available. For guidance, contact the Communications Team.
Conclusions
This should include all the options that were considered during the process to
mitigate the adverse impact, and the decisions that were then made by the
council on the basis of the equality impact assessment to take forward. It should
include the risks and benefits and social and economic cost analysis that was
done during the process. It should also include an action plan with timescales for
the next steps the service will take. It should include a date by which the policy /
function will be reviewed in light of the findings of the equality impact
assessment.
Who will be responsible for this?
And finally…
This assessment should be signed off by the Head of Service/Board/ Director
following challenge by the Corporate Equality Steering Group representative or
coordinator.
Reports can be produced to suit individual styles. Some people like to answer questions,
some prefer to have more freedom. We have found that our best assessments where
produced using the EIA worksheet or above questions as a checklist. If a further help is
required or an alternative format preferred, please contact the Policy Team
Equality impact assessment
Action & Improvement Plan
The table below should be completed using the information from the equality impact
assessment to produce an action plan for the implementation of proposals to:
1.
2.
3.
Lower the negative impact? And/Or
Ensure that the negative impact is legal under anti-discriminatory law? And/Or
Provide an opportunity to promote equality, equal opportunity and improve
relations within equality target groups? i.e. increase the positive impact
Please ensure that you update your service/business plan with the equality
objectives/targets and actions identified below:
Area of
concern/
negati ve
impact
Changes
proposed
Sign off (CM/Head of Service):
Measure of
success/
Performance
Indicatior
Lead Officer
Date Service/Team Plan updated:
Timescale
i
Equality impact assessment: Summary Report
The results of equality impact assessments must be published. Please
complete this summary, which will be used to publish the results of your
impact assessment on the authority’s web site and return it to the Policy
Team
Date of Assessment:
Completing Officer’s Title/Position:
Leading Officer’s Name and members of the Equality impact
assessment team:
Policy/Activity that was Impact Assessed:
Summary of findings:
Summary of Recommendations and Key Points of Action Plan:
Groups that this policy will impact upon: ALL or:
Race
Gender
Sexual Orientation
Age
Disability
Religion or Belief
Other