News

Press Releases

EQUALITIES REPORT CARD SHOWS PROGRESS, BUT COULD DO BETTER

Housing associations and local authority landlords have got better at meeting the needs of equalities groups over the last four years, according to a report from Communities Scotland, the housing regulator.

The report follows up a similar study in 2002.

Some landlords are working hard to make sure that everyone can get access to their services and to respond to the particular needs of disadvantaged groups Around nine out of ten housing organisations have published information setting out their approach to equalities.

Most are also working to understand the needs of their customers. However many do not have good information on the needs of their existing tenants and only about a third have set targets to reduce inequalities in their services.

The report also shows that although 85 per cent of landlords collect statistical date and three-quarters collect feedback from consultative groups, less than half use this to monitor performance or plan for the future.

Launching the thematic study, Equalities in Practice, Tony Cain, inspection manager at Communities Scotland, said:

“The results of this study of housing organisations are encouraging.

“We are pleased to see some progress from our original study in 2002 and that most landlords found that study and our inspection work helpful.

“Much more needs to be done however to ensure that barriers and inequalities in access to services are removed.

“We understand that we have an important leadership role in helping housing organisations achieve this. As well as making recommendations for social landlords the report also sets out how we will provide this leadership.”

FURTHER INFORMATION

Equalities in Practice is the fifth in a series of thematic studies by Communities Scotland’s Regulation & Inspection division. Thematic studies complement the programme of cyclical inspections of registered social landlords and local authorities.

The report and a technical annexe are available on the Communities Scotland website at www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk.

Communities Scotland was abolished on 1 April 2008. This is an archived site and the contents may no longer be accurate. If you are looking for information about housing and regeneration, please visit www.scotland.gov.uk For information about regulation and inspection, please visit www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.