Equality Impact Assessment

Lead officer(s)

Gary Craig

Date relevance assessment conducted

29 Sep 2025

Which groups of people do you think will be, or potentially could be, impacted (positively or negatively) upon by the implementation of this policy?

People with disabilities : Yes

People from black and minority ethnic communities and different racial backgrounds : Yes

Women and men (boys and girls) : Yes

Older people : Yes

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people : Yes

People from different religions or beliefs and people with no belief : Yes

Women who are pregnant or on maternity leave : Yes

People who are married or in a civil partnership : Yes

Children and young people : Yes

Do you have evidence or reason to believe that this policy/function/review will, or may potentially impact on Children's Rights 4?

No

Do you have evidence or reason to believe that this policy/function/review will, or may potentially impact on Human Rights 8?

No

Do you have evidence or reason to believe that this policy/function/review will, or may potentially:

Eliminate discrimination faced by particular groups : low

Impact upon the promotion of equality of opportunity between particular groups : low

Impact upon good relations between particular groups : low

Does it have overall relevance to equality? low

Impact on communities, including communities of interest: low

Reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage:

Equality impact assessment required?

No

Rationale for decision

The development of the Local Housing Strategy (LHS) and provision of an adequate supply of housing across all tenures will assist in advancing equality of opportunity and foster good relations for all of those in East Ayrshire who share the protected characteristics defined in the Equality Act 2010. Similarly the provision of an adequate supply of good quality housing will assist in the elimination of discrimination; harassment; and victimisation of those sharing the protected characteristics who are denied the opportunity to live in adequate housing.



An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been conducted in support of the LHS priorities, considering the Council`s Public Sector Equality Duty and, where appropriate, the Fairer Scotland Duty, and in turn, the HAMF 2025, HIP 2026/27-2030/31 and SHIP 2026-31.



Tackling socio-economic disadvantage and narrowing gaps in outcomes are central to the strategic objectives of East Ayrshire Council and is a key theme throughout the LHS.



The delivery of HAMF, Housing Investment Programme (HIP), Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) and other strategic documents as set out in the LHS Action Plan will have a positive impact on low income, low wealth and material deprivation. The contribution made by the development and provision of housing on local economies include creating jobs, providing opportunities for skills development and increasing the supply of affordable housing and energy-efficient housing.



The actions that relate to the regeneration of town centres, to address their decline, will benefit local towns and communities.



The development of the HAMF, HIP and SHIP has fully considered the outcomes of the EQIA which concluded positive impacts would be delivered.



The HAMF was approved by Cabinet on 24 February 2016 and has been developed to ensure East Ayrshire Council`s housing stock meets the present and future needs of tenants, the long-term sustainability of tenancies is improved and the best use of resources is made. As such, it is not considered that the framework will adversely affect any group with protected characteristics.



The outcome of the HAMF review therefore fully informs the Council`s strategic approach to managing housing assets as set out in the HIP and the SHIP.



The HAMF 2025 notes rent setting proposals including increased costs to tenants which will be subject to consultation with tenants for the 2026/27 financial year. The Impact Assessment has identified no concerns regarding impact of the HAMF on any of the equalities groupings.