Equalities and Diversity

It is one of the key objectives of the Association that we strive for continuous improvement in equalities issues.

Achieving equality of opportunity is about combating the injustice and inequality that exists in our society, ensuring discriminatory practices are eliminated and taking positive action as and when necessary. Shepherds Bush Housing Association (SBHA) acknowledges that in society certain Associations and individuals are unfairly discriminated against. It is committed to taking positive steps to help redress the effects of discrimination and disadvantage, to ensure equality of opportunity becomes an integral feature of all its activities.

SBHA recognises it has the power to reduce the disadvantages people experience by making its services more responsive to communities and individual needs.

The Association's Equality & Diversity Policy applies equally to the following areas:

• governance - membership and operation of the organisation's Committee of Management and Boards, including shareholder membership
• meeting housing needs
• development
• access to housing and other services
• provision of housing and other services
• employment and training, including staff recruitment
• contractors and consultants
• partnerships.

The policy also draws particular attention to issues of disability and age, areas where reports commissioned by the Association have identified the need for policy development. A full copy of the Policy can be obtained from SBHA at 1 Essex Place Square, Chiswick, London, W4 5UJ.

Governance
SBHA works in a multi-cultural area of west London and our accountability is enhanced by the representation and involvement of individuals from the community we serve on our governing bodies. We will strive to include representation from a full cross-section of the community on our Committee of Management, Boards, Sub Committees, working Associations and tenant and leaseholder Associations.

We have set targets for representation from ethnic minority Associations and assess progress and the action taken on an annual basis.

Meeting Housing Needs
As an organisation with a social mission, SBHA will address the housing and related needs of the various communities it serves. We will work with Local Authorities and other local agencies to assess and prioritise the needs of local communities and in particular prioritise the housing needs of minority communities and other Associations experiencing discrimination. The special needs of the vulnerable who require supported housing will be addressed and provided for, in liaison with local authorities and agencies.

We have set targets for our lettings to black and ethnic minority communities and monitor these quarterly.

Development
SBHA will endeavour to meet the needs of the entire community. To do so we must explore location and design issues and determine appropriate housing solutions to ensure we do not discriminate directly or indirectly against the needs of any particular community or Association, where we know the future nominations to a scheme.

Access
SBHA will allocate its properties in an open and accountable way that prevents direct and indirect discrimination and gives equal access to all Associations of applicants.

Provision
SBHA will develop policies that are sensitive to particular housing management and customer care issues of minority communities and those in supported housing who are vulnerable and ensure our complaint procedures are accessible to tenants experiencing discrimination and our housing services are responsive to their needs. We monitor the ethnicity of our complainants and report these details to our Committees. We also review our racial harassment policy on a regular basis to keep abreast of legislation and good practice.

Recruitment, Employment and Training
SBHA will ensure its employment, training and staff development practices are open and accountable. We monitor all stages of recruitment, training, internal moves and secondments for ethnicity and gender and report regularly to our Committees.

Contractors and Consultants
SBHA will adopt non-discriminatory purchasing and procurement practices to ensure contractors and consultants comply with the organisation's equality policies and do not discriminate in the execution of its contracts.

Partnerships
SBHA will ensure each relationship it has with statutory, voluntary, private sector and managing agency organisations is an opportunity to promote and communicate the organisation's commitment to equality. The Association will also work with agencies that particularly promote the needs of minority communities or who work with the vulnerable in supported housing and help them towards viability and improved practices.

Review
Each year SBHA's Committee of Management and Boards will review the Association's action on equalities and is committed to providing the necessary training to enable Committee, management and staff to understand and implement their responsibilities under the policy.