Supplementary Document Pack (Bookmarked) HAC 20 11 24
West Dunbartonshire Council · 20 November 2024
Back to Housing & Communities Committee — 20 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Supplementary Agenda Housing and Communities Committee Date: Wednesday, 20 November 2024 Time: 10:00 a.m. Format: Hybrid Meeting Contact: Email: Nicola Moorcroft, Committee Officer Nicola.moorcroft@west-dunbarton.gov.uk committee.admin@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Dear Member ITEM TO FOLLOW I refer to the agenda for the above meeting that was issued on 7 November 2024 and now enclose a copy of Item 11 – Appendix 2 which was not available for issue at that time. Yours faithfully PETER HESSETT Chief Executive Page 313
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Note referred to:- 11 WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE – EMPTY HOMES 315 - 322 STRATEGY 2024-2029 – APPENDIX 2 (EIA) Submit report by the Chief Officer - Housing and Employability seeking approval of the new Empty Homes Strategy 2024 -2029. Distribution:- Councillor Ian Dickson Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal (Chair) Councillor David McBride Councillor John Millar Councillor Karen Murray Conaghan Councillor Lawrence O’Neill Councillor Lauren Oxley Councillor Chris Pollock Councillor Martin Rooney Councillor Hazel Sorrell (Vice Chair) Councillor Sophie Traynor All other Councillors for information Chief Executive Chief Officer – Housing and Employability Chief Officer – Regulation and Regeneration Chief Officer – Resources Date issued: 8 November 2024 Page 314
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Assessment No 1107 Owner KRae Resource Regeneration, Environment and Growth Service Housing and Employment FirstName Surname Job Title Head Officer Karen Rae Empty Homes Officer Members John Kerr, Housing Development and Homelessness Manager Karen Rae, empty Homes Officer (Please note: the word 'policy' is used as shorthand for strategy policy function or financial decision) Policy Title West Dunbartonshire Empty Homes Strategy (Private Sector) 2024-2029 The aim, objective, purpose and intended out come of policy The Empty Homes Strategy is a five year plan of how we plan to return as many empty homes as possible back into use, with a target of returning at least 125 homes back into use. The Empty Homes Strategy main aims are to: • Maximise the re-use of empty homes • Help alleviate the effects of homelessness and the waiting list within West Dunbartonshire • Support Town Centre Regeneration • Reduce the number of long term empty problem properties • Collaborate with the Buy Back Lead Officer to assist with bringing long term empty homes back into use Service/Partners/Stakeholders/service users involved in the development and/or implementation of policy. We worked with the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents Organisation, and internal stakeholders such as housing development staff, planning, housing operations, environmental health and communities. Does the proposals involve the procurement of any goods or services? No If yes please confirm that you have contacted our procurement services to discuss your requirements. No SCREENING You must indicate if there is any relevance to the four areas Duty to eliminate discrimination (E), advance equal opportunities (A) or foster good relations (F) Yes Relevance to Human Rights (HR) Yes Relevance to Health Impacts (H) Yes Relevance to Social Economic Impacts (SE) Yes Who will be affected by this policy? Home owners and/or their representatives within West Dunbartonshire. Who will be/has been involved in the consultation process? ITEM 11 - APPENDIX 2 Page 315
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We carried out a consultation and involved the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, West Dunbartonshire Tenants and Residents Organisation, and internal stakeholders such as housing development staff, planning, asset management, housing operations, environmental health and communities. The EHS sits within the Local Housing Strategy and has been underpinned by the Council’s commitment to promoting and sustaining equality and inclusion, and equality and diversity principles. Page 316
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Please outline any particular need/barriers which equality groups may have in relation to this policy list evidence you are using to support this and whether there is any negative impact on particular groups. Specific group to consider Needs Evidence Impact Age Not all people have access to a computer to communicate. Empty homes surveys are issued periodically, mainly by post, with some being returned by hard copy others electronically Continue to ensure that different communication methods are available to provide access to empty homes information and advice Disability It is important that the supply of accessible homes be maximised We have duty to make Council services accessible to disabled people. The Homes Strategy and processes connect with it most be transparent and accessible to disabled people. Public Health Scotland publish figures of all hospital discharge delays. This can affect all types of tenure and result in excessive hospital stays. In Scotland it is estimated that over 31,000 disabled people are projected to experience unmet housing need by 2024 Healthy housing for Scotland (publichealthscotland.scot) Those affected by a disability may not be able to occupy the home if it does not meet their needs. This may have led to long term hospitalisation. Ensure that the home owner/representative is provided with the relevant advice and information to enable them to make an informed decision about the empty home. Positive impact as returning empty homes back in to use can help meet demand and adaptations can allow people to return to their homes. Gender Reassign This group may experience stigma and discrimination which impacts upon their housing options in respect of the types, locations or quality of homes they live in. Limited evidence available although some evidence that housing systems can negatively impact individuals with gender dysphoria. This service is specifically aimed to promote equality and address the impact of inequality and discrimination on persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion/belief age their social or economic status or whether they are transgender. Page 317
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Marriage & Civil Partnership New couples entering into a marriage or civil partnership are likely to want their own home. Married & Civil Partnership couples are likely to cohabit and generally have increased income compared to those who are in a single occupancy/not in a marriage or civil partnership. Inversely, couples ending a marriage/civil partnership will require additional housing This service is specifically aimed to promote equality and address the impact of inequality and discrimination on persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion/belief age their social or economic status or whether they are transgender. Pregnancy & Maternity Improving access for families to larger family houses is a feature of the LHS. Evidence shows that pregnancy and maternity tend to trigger the need to move into a larger home. Both neighbourhoods and house design can have an impact on child development. Overcrowding may be experienced by families during maternity, this can reduce privacy, limit space for children to study or play and can be a source of stress and anxiety, impacting on sleep, particularly if adults share sleeping space with young children. This service is specifically aimed to promote equality and address the impact of inequality and discrimination on persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion/belief age their social or economic status or whether they are transgender. Race It is important to ensure that no one is excluded from assistance with a long term empty home where English is not their first language We ensure that relevant information about translation is on all correspondence issued to owners or their representatives. This service is specifically aimed to promote equality and address the impact of inequality and discrimination on persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion/belief age their social or economic status or whether they are transgender. Religion and Belief As individuals of some beliefs/faiths require to worship on particular days they may not be able to attend appointments Ensure that due consideration is given to those with religious requirements when arranging meetings. Positive and will reduce any barriers for home owners’ or their representative engaging with the empty homes service Page 318
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Sex Important to assess differential impacts related to sex Sex, particularly when interacting with other characteristics has been shown to impact upon experience of and sometimes access to housing options. For example, men typically account for higher share of homelessness presentations This service is specifically aimed to promote equality and address the impact of inequality and discrimination on persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion/belief age their social or economic status or whether they are transgender. Sexual Orientation From the Equality Evidence Finder we know nationally that homelessness affects more men and that more women live in long stay care homes Recent research has revealed the need for data collection about sexual orientation and identity in the housing sector to understand and respond to the housing needs of LGBT+ communities. This service is specifically aimed to promote equality and address the impact of inequality and discrimination on persons regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion/belief age their social or economic status or whether they are transgender. Human Rights Access to a home supports Article 8 of Human Rights Act (HRA) – respect for your private and family life, home and correspondence. Access to housing is a human right. UNCRC considerations Article 8 is a qualified right and allows a public authority to intervene if it’s in the interest of the wider community or to protect other people’s rights. Potential negative affect on owners of long term empty problem homes subject to Compulsory Purchase Orders where all other attempts to return an empty home have been exhausted. Positive impact of increasing housing supply for people families and children Health Housing impacts health in a myriad of ways. West Dunbartonshire has been identified as an area of high deprivation. Poorly designed homes can increase home injury risk, poor indoor air quality, mould, radon exposure, noise and ineffective soundproofing are other factors which can impact on health. Many empty homes do not meet the repairing standard. When sold they are often refurbished bringing the property up to more modern living conditions and fulfilling the repairing standard requirements. This will have a positive impact on those occupying the property. Page 319
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Social & Economic Impact Empty homes can be a blight on the community and can be associated with higher risks of anti-social behaviour, vandalism etc., and can cause considerable distress to those living in the vicinity of the empty home. The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership calculates that for every £1 spent on an empty home this generates £1.60 to the local economy Positive impact. By renovating empty homes this will bring the house up to a habitable condition. It is likely that both the labour and materials will be sourced locally. By returning empty homes back into use this will also have a positive impact on the neighbourhood Cross Cutting Bring empty homes into use has the potential to deliver a number of cross cutting benefits. It is important that processes connected too the strategy are transparent and that communications connected with it follow the Council's Communicating Effectively guidance By leaving homes empty this affects the local community and economy resulting in less housing being available. The 2019/2020 COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increased amount of empty homes and has been an extreme shock to normal life, affecting everyone. However, the harms caused by the pandemic are not felt equally by all groups in society. The impacts of COVID-19 have highlighted and exacerbated pre-existing inequalities which cause some social groups to have more disadvantaged life experiences than others (Scottish Government, 2020) During the period of the last Empty Homes Strategy 83 house were returned to use. This has a positive impact to many groups and can provide other types of housing that a local authority may not have. The potential negative impact is where the local authority pursues a compulsory purchase order where all other avenues have been exhausted. Page 320
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Actions Page 321
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Policy has a negative impact on an equality group,but is still to be implemented, please provide justification for this. The Empty Homes Strategy does not have a negative impact on an equality group. Will the impact of the policy be monitored and reported on an ongoing bases? Yes, we have an action plan on pentana which allows us to track progress on our actions. Q7 What is you recommendation for this policy? Intoduce Please provide a meaningful summary of how you have reached the recommendation EIA 1105: Positive Impact for a range of protected groups. The updated Empty Homes Strategy focus is to return as many empty private homes back into use as possible. This will provide additional availability of housing throughout the authority that would have remained empty without intervention. During the period of the previous Empty Homes Strategy, 83 homes were returned to use. The implementation of the Empty Homes Strategy will continue to support all of the Council’s key strategic priorities, and we will monitor its impact. The EHS sits within the Local Housing Strategy that carried out a HIIA assessment, and has been underpinned by the Council’s commitment to promoting and sustaining equality and inclusion, and equality and diversity principles. Page 322