HCA sets out commitment to equality and diversity

24 November 2009

< Back to news index
HCA logo

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) today set out its approach to equality and diversity, outlining the specific ways in which the Agency will deliver its vision for equality, diversity and cohesion, both as an employer and strategic partner.

The Agency’s Single Equality Scheme, entitled Diverse Interventions, sets out its vision for the delivery of equality, diversity and cohesion for the next two years. It brings together the HCA’s response to the three statutory equality duties for race, disability and gender equality into one joined-up scheme. The Equality Scheme also goes one step further in that it makes a clear commitment to address equality based on sexuality, religion and belief, and age.

This cross-cutting approach includes: embracing opportunities for HCA employees and the development of its business culture in order to promote opportunities for all; ensuring that its design and sustainability standards meet the needs of diverse communities; ensuring that the HCA’s investment decisions are fair and transparent; and overtly consider the impact of investment on equality and cohesion.  In addition, the HCA remains committed to ensuring that communities are involved and consulted on decisions that affect them, and that key equality challenges are addressed.

HCA Chief Executive, Sir Bob Kerslake said: “We recognise that our society is becoming ever more diverse, and responding to these needs is a key part of our work in creating sustainable, thriving places.  Diversity is one of the HCA’s core values and we are passionate about achieving it both in our services and as an employer.

Our action plan sets out how we are rising to this challenge and will deliver our vision in practice. In striving to be a valued partner – one that works in a way that deals equitably and transparently with others, we know that the manner in which we go about our business is just as important as the business itself.” 

The Agency’s action plan outlines exactly how each area of the business will meet its diversity and equality objectives over the next two years. This includes:

  • Developing relationships or accreditation with Diversity Champion Initiatives that promote diversity at the HCA and provide opportunities for benchmarking with other employers;
  • Continuing to engage and consult with delivery partners to develop clear diversity criteria for the Single Conversation regionally and nationally;
  • Producing an annual report showing how the HCA’s investment decisions take into account the impact of its activities on the needs of diverse communities;

Diverse Interventions also sets out the HCA’s arrangements for the stewardship of equality, diversity and cohesion.  Overseeing the development and implementation of the HCA’s vision for diversity is its Equality and Diversity Board Advisory Group, chaired by Dorian Leatham, and comprising of key stakeholders including the Equality and Human Rights Commission, The National Housing Federation and bodies representing the interests of various equality groups.

Diverse Interventions complements the Agency’s approach to Community Engagement which was launched in August, and can be downloaded from the equality and diversity page

Ends

For further information: Helen Stoddart on 020 7881 1615 / helen.stoddart@hca.gsx.gov.uk in the HCA press office.

Notes to editors:

i) The HCA’s Equality and Diversity Board Advisory Group, appointed in May 2009, is assisting the Agency in making its vision for diversity a reality. The Group aims to:

  • Support the HCA and its Board in meeting the diverse needs of communities through its business model
  • Advise on the development, implementation and evaluation of the HCA Single Equality Scheme
  • Work with the HCA to identify partnerships that will support its vision for diversity
  • Identify and support the HCA’s response to current and emerging equality and diversity challenges
  • Provide expert advice on specific issues relating to BME communities, disabled people, gender, religion and belief, sexuality and age
    - Identify business risks that may affect delivery of the HCA’s vision for equality and diversity; and
  • Report to the HCA Board and Executive Management Board

The members are as follows:

  • Dorian Leatham (Chair) – former CEO of London Borough of Hillingdon and Chair of the Nottingham City Housing Strategic Partnership Board. Dorian is also one of the government’s REACH national role models, which aims to support and inspire young black men to raise their aspirations and achievements
  • Professor Peter Roberts OBE – HCA Board member, chair of the HCA Academy and Professor of Sustainable Spatial Development at the University of Leeds.
  • Laura Willoughby MBE – elected member in the London Borough of Islington, Improvement and Development Agency Diversity Peer, previously Chair of the Equalities Executive at the Local Government Association.
  • Ruth Davison – Director of Campaigns and Neighbourhoods at the NHF, previously Director of Communications and Public and Patient Involvement at Beds & Herts SHA
  • Jackie Driver - is a Head of Policy at the Equality at Human Rights Commission. Jackie is also Chair of Breakthrough UK, an organisation of disabled people, aimed at improving the life chances of disabled people through employment, training and independent living opportunities.
  • Vijay Asi – an original member of the Housing Corporation BME National Advisory Group and Managing Director of Asra Midlands Housing Association, part of Sanctuary Group.
  • Arvinda Gohil  - has worked in the public and not for profit sector since 1982 in a variety of senior executive and leadership roles.  Arvinda is also Chair of Praxis, a Human Rights organisation working with displaced communities;
  • Kate Still – Head of Social Investment and Enterprise at Richmond Housing Partnership, previously non-executive director of Guinness Trust South East. Now working as an independent equality advisor to RDAs.
  • Bob Green – CEO of Stonewall Housing Association and a member of the GLA Equality and Diversity standing group.
  • Sarfraz Hussain – Projects Director with Housing Associations' Charitable Trust. Former Director of Blue Mountain Housing Association, Non Executive Director, Equality lead and Vice Chair of NHS Stoke-on-Trent.
  • Aniekan Umoren – current Chair of the BME Forum, an organisation that develops BME leadership in the Housing Sector and Managing Director, South, of Places for People Group. 
  • Rt Revd David Walker – Bishop of Dudley in the Diocese of Worcester, Chair of HACT and CHADD, a church based special needs housing association. Regional Executive of the NHF and member of Boards at National Level.
    ii) The HCA action plan includes:
  • Ensuring that the HCA’s Culture and Values programme incorporates clear diversity actions and measurements;
  • Developing relationships or accreditation with Diversity Champion Initiatives that promote diversity at the HCA and provide opportunities for benchmarking with other employers;
  • Continuing to engage and consult with delivery partners to develop clear diversity criteria for the Single Conversation regionally and nationally;
  • Producing an annual report showing how the HCA’s investment decisions take into account the impact of its activities on the needs of diverse communities;
  • Publishing information annually that illustrates the level of housing that meets the needs of diverse or vulnerable people;
  • Producing guidance for partners that help them meet equality and diversity criteria;
  • Working with partners to develop a framework that ensures our investment decisions are fair, transparent and communicated to local people;
  • Regional promotion of increases in site provision for Gypsy and Traveller communities;
  • Developing a procurement framework that places clear expectations on potential contractors;

iii) The HCA published its approach to Community Engagement in August 2009

iv) Over two thirds of England’s BME population live in the 88 most deprived local authority districts compared to 40% of the population;

Gypsy and Traveller communities are 18 times more likely to experience the death of a child compared to those outside those communities;

Disabled adults aged 25 to retirement age are twice as likely to live in low-income households as their non-disabled counterparts: 31% compared with 16%;

The UK’s population is ageing;

Poverty affects nearly half of people aged 60 and above in deprived urban neighbourhoods.

v) The Homes and Communities Agency is the single, national housing and regeneration agency for England.  Our role is to create opportunity for people to live in high quality, sustainable places. We provide funding for affordable housing, bring land back into productive use and improve quality of life by raising standards for the physical and social environment.

Email newsletter