Agenda Reports Pack (Public) 15/10/2012, 19.00 - Meetings ...

RaceGiven the high levels of deprivation that some ethnic minority householdscontinue to experience it is inevitable that ethnic minority groups are highlyrepresented in the allocation of affordable rented housing. In 2011/12, 646allocations were made of which a total of 52% were from ethnic minoritygroups and 44% from white groups (with 4% not stated). The overrepresentationof ethnic minority groups seeking housing support is illustratedby the profile of those currently on the housing register. Out of the total of10,115 applicants reported on 12 September 2012, 52.4% were from black,Asian or other ethnic minority groups; 37% were from white groups, with10.6% ethnicity not stated. The current ethnic minority ‘need profile’ of thecurrent housing register can be described as being broadly proportionate tothe profile of allocations in the 2011/12 year.H +Page 497The Council will monitor and evaluate impacts that may arise from theimplementation of the Housing allocation Scheme. As specified in theintroductory text, the switch to a Housing Allocation Scheme which centres ongiving priority for reasonable preference groups and people with a localconnection, the equality impacts are likely to be positive. However, with theintroduction of the community contribution, the Council will need to monitorand evaluate what positive and negative impacts are experienced and what (ifany) mitigating actions need to be put in place.Tool and Guidance updated for new PSED from 05.04.2011Where the Council adopts local lettings plans and seeks to draw applicantswho may not necessarily meet the reasonable preference criteria from theHome Buy Register for short term tenancies, then the Council will monitorwhat impacts – negative or positive - this may have on the ethnic profile ofapplicants who are accessing affordable rented housing.It should be noted that of the 4,143 people registered on the Home BuyRegister in March 2012, 60.8% were from white groups; 35% from ethnicminority groups; 4.1% not stated. Where there are allocations of rentedhousing made from the Home Buy Register, they are statistically more likely tobe from white backgrounds. Any local lettings plan approach will be monitored