Equal initiative

The massive cuts to public spending and benefits in the chancellor’s emergency Budget represent a huge setback to the social housing sector. But it is the residents and communities for whom the sector provides, who stand to lose most through the government’s emphasis on a market approach to social welfare.

It is ironic - and timely - that the Equality Bill, hailed as the most significant piece of equality and diversity legislation in 40 years, obtained Royal Assent in April and will become law in the next few months. The bill (which replaces and streamlines existing equalities legislation) aims to improve public services and reduce socio-economic inequalities. Social housing providers will need to think more widely than before about how they engage with a diversity of residents, the services they deliver and how they deliver them; and how these are monitored and reviewed (following Weaver v London & Quadrant, this includes housing associations’ letting and management functions).

The Homes and Communities Agency/Tenant Services Authority and Audit Commission will be subject to public sector duties, which impact on associations’ regulation. Many of the requirements of the bill are in line with a forthcoming European Commission equal treatment directive.

The political climate means that communities urgently need support in order to tackle housing disadvantage and promote cohesion. However, the government’s declared disinterest in strengthening regulation of private rented housing raises questions about its commitment to regulating the wider housing sector, and to pursuing the Equality Bill’s agenda. In practice, therefore, it may fall to housing providers to lead on tackling inequality. The Equality Bill provides both an imperative and a window of opportunity.

Alison Ewart is an independent consultant