Community impact assessment form
Page 1 of 17
Community impact assessment screening process
Person(s) responsible for the assessment
(Please note that it is advisable that you undertake your community impact assessment
in a group)
Shahla Zandi and Sandra Mardell
Directorate
Sustainable Regeneration
Name of function to be assessed (this can be a policy, procedure, strategy or service)
Salford’s Private Sector House Condition Survey 2010
Date of assessment
Is this a function that is new
No
March 2011
1. Please provide a brief description of the function or the proposed change to the
function
Local Authorities are required to carry out a house condition survey at least every three years. The
survey gathers comprehensive data relating to the Decent Home Standards, the Housing Health and
Safety Rating System, energy efficiency, and includes a socio-economic profile of private sector
households.
2. What are the aims of the service, strategy, policy or procedure?
It is important to get this right as they will be the focus of the impact assessment
The aim of this survey is:





To establish a robust evidence baseline on the private sector house condition of private sector
to inform and support housing strategy, other subsidiary strategies and policies
To inform Housing Investment Programme submissions to the Department of Communities and
Local Government.
Assist the council to comply with its duties under the Regulatory Reform Order 2002
Achieve Best Value targets and Value for Money
Informs Homes & Communities (HCA) and other agencies
2. If you are considering a strategy or service, please list any related policies
Not Applicable-The House Condition Survey is not a strategy or a service, but the survey will inform
future strategies, and policies.
Page 2 of 17
4. Please list any group who has an interest in or who will benefit from the function (this
can include service users, stakeholders, beneficiaries).

Salford private sector residents

Internal teams within the directorate, and corporately. i.e:

Housing Future Division

Urban Renewal Team ( Market Support Team, Salford Home Improvement Agency )

Economic Future Division







Affordable Warmth Strategy Steering Group
Home Improvement Agency Advisory Group
Landlord Forum
Greater Manchester Private Sector –Regional Licensing Group
Empty Property Groups
Residents organisations
Home Energy Group
5. Please list any aspects of your service or policy which are delivered externally or with
external partners.
 Michael Dyson Associates Ltd who are commissioned to carry out the survey
 Corporate Procurement Team
6. Is there any evidence of higher or lower participation or uptake by different groups?
Socio-economic
Don’t know( wait until the outcome of the survey
Age
Yes
Religion and/ or belief
Yes
Disability
Yes
Sexual identity
No
Gender
Yes
Race
Yes
The level of participation in the house condition survey will be affected by the age group, religion, and or
belief, and disability (physical, learning difficulties, and mental health). For example older people may
have problems giving access to surveyors due to ill–heath or due to religious belief some groups may
not participate in the survey. During the fieldwork data was logged on response rate that confirmed
older people had problem giving access due to health problem. Special arrangement had been made
with the surveyors to ask for assistance in cases where the respondents were visually impaired or had
hearing problems.
Page 3 of 17
7. Is there any evidence that different groups have different needs, experiences, issues
and priorities in relation to this function?
Socio-economic
Yes
Race
Yes
Age
Yes
Religion and/ or belief
Yes
Disability
Yes
Sexual identity
No
Gender
No
The Private Sector House Condition Survey 2007 reflected that different groups have different needs,
and issues, and priorities in respect to the condition of their houses.
The results of 2007 Stock Condition Survey show that the homes of lone parents (12.5%) and single
pensioner (8.6%) households are more likely to be classed as unfit than the homes of other households.
Households with special needs are more likely to be living in unfit accommodation than those with no special
needs members. Also vulnerable households (7.8%) appear significantly more likely to be living in unfit
housing. Black, Minority, Ethnic (BME) households (8.4%) are around twice as likely to be living in unfit
housing as White-British households (4.4%). Pensioner households and single households ( non –
pensioner) are also more likely than average to live in homes with category 1 hazards. The survey
estimates that 23.7% of vulnerable households live in dwellings with a category 1 hazard. Please see
attached report:
Salford_PSSCS_v3
0.pdf
8. Is there an opportunity to better promote equality and diversity or better community
relations for the following groups, by working with others? e.g. partners, community and
voluntary groups
Socio-economic
No
Race
No
Age
No
Religion and/ or belief
No
Disability
No
Sexual identity
No
Gender
No
Page 4 of 17
9. Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals indicated that
this policy creates problems that are specific to them?
Socio-economic
No
Race
No
Age
No
Religion and/ or belief
No
Disability
No
Sexual identity
No
Gender
No
The Private Sector Stock Condition Survey 2010 does not create any problem for any group,
organisation or individuals. The survey provides evidence to target groups and individuals that are
affected by poor housing condition rather than creating problems for them.
If you have answered ‘yes’ to the last four sections you will need to complete the rest of
the form, If you have answered ‘no’ to them please complete the next box and return to
your directorate equality lead officer.
Comments:
Please note that the house condition survey is not a service or a strategy and neither a function or
policy, and the survey merely gathers evidence and data on the condition of the private sector houses in
Salford. Therefore the responses in this assessment should take this into account.
It should be also noted that the level of participation in the house condition survey will be affected by the
age group, religion, and or belief, and disability. The Private Sector House Condition Survey 2007 also
reflected that different groups have different needs, and issues, and priorities in respect to the condition
of their houses.
The Private Sector Stock Condition Survey 2010 does not create any problem for any group,
organisation or individuals. The survey provides evidence to target groups and individuals that are
affected by poor housing condition rather than creating problems for them.
Date sent to directorate equality lead officer
Screening received and reviewed by directorate equality lead officer
Name
Date
Signed
Page 5 of 17
Full community impact assessment
Narrowing the gap – socio-economic inequality
1. How does the service ‘narrow the gap’ and reduce the extent to which outcomes are
dependent on income?
The income of households appears to have some links with stock condition as households on lower incomes
tend to show higher rates of unfit and non decent homes. According to the Private Stock Condition Survey
2007, an estimated 4,334 households require one or more adaptation to their accommodation (such as a
downstairs WC). These households typically have very low levels of income and may require grant
assistance if the adaptations are to be provided.
The average income of households in fuel poverty is £5,576 per annum, this compares with a figure of
around £31,000 for non fuel poor households.
The evidence provided by the survey will help for example the Salford Home Improvement Agency
which has developed the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy and a leaflet to target those who
cannot afford to pay for work on their homes (see attached) . Another example is raising awareness of
the affordable warmth schemes to partners, groups, and individuals to help them cut their fuel bill.
Please see attached Affordable Warmth Strategy.
Affordable warmth
strat 10-v6.pdf
April 07 HIA leaflet
updated.pdf
amended-pshap-200
9.doc
2. Please list any barriers which may prevent people from low income backgrounds from
achieving positive outcomes from the function
The survey is not a function, but provides a robust evidence base to enable the council to target people
from low income backgrounds as stated above
3. Please detail how these barriers may be overcome.
Not Applicable
4. Please list any baseline income data and analysis which indicate that deprivation
issues are relevant to your function
The attached income data at ward level reflects the deprivation issues that reflect the relevance of the
income, and housing condition. According to the 2007 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Salford was
ranked 15th most deprived district nationally and 2nd most deprived within Greater Manchester. Within
Salford there are stark differences in the levels of deprivation. Between 2004 and 2007 several Lower
Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in Salford improved their ranking, but also a small number became
relatively worse. Substantial investments in regeneration have improved areas but there are still more
than 36% of the population living within the 5% most deprived areas in the country. Please see
attached.
Income by ward.xls Stock_survey_IMD_
HOUSING.pdf
IMD_2007.doc
Page 6 of 17
5. Please provide evidence of how services are targeted or designed based on our
knowledge of need and deprivation
The Urban Renewal Team in Housing Futures Division has developed a number of policies to target
and help the most vulnerable groups. These include Landlord Licensing/Accreditation schemes Policy
and the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy ( see attached)
amended-pshap-200
9.doc
If your policy is relevant to narrowing the gap, please continue to complete this section.
6. Please list any data or evidence you have which demonstrates access of service and
benefits
The Private Sector House Condition Survey 2007 attached provides a wealth of data, and information
that will be updated by this survey in 2010.
Salford_PSSCS_v3
0.pdf
7. Does this data show that any groups access the service more/less?
Not Applicable. The house condition survey is not a service, but provides a robust evidence base
reflecting Salford’s residents’ house condition, and helps the council to target those in poor housing
condition.
8. Does this data show any better or worse outcomes are achieved from the service for
different income groups?
Not Applicable
9. Can any unfavourable impacts be justified?
No unfavourable impact on socio-economically deprived groups can be identified.
Age
1. Please list any barriers which may prevent people from achieving positive outcomes
from the service as a result of their age
No barriers can be identified, as the Private Sector House Condition Survey merely gathers evidence on
condition of houses. The survey identifies the needs of different age groups i.e. younger people, middle
aged, and older people, and would help the council to target these groups in schemes to improve their
housing condition.
2. Please detail how these barriers may be overcome.
Not Applicable
3. Please list any baseline data or evidence you have e.g. census data
Not Applicable
4. Please list any data or evidence you have which demonstrates service users
accessing the service
Not Applicable
5. Does this data show that any groups access the service more/less?
Not Applicable
Page 7 of 17
6. Does this data show any better or worse outcomes are achieved from the service for
this group?
Not Applicable
7. Can any unfavourable impact be justified?
.Not Applicable.
Disability
1. Please list any barriers that service users may encounter when accessing services
Not Applicable- The Private Sector House Condition Survey merely gathers evidence on condition of
houses.
2. Please list any barriers which may prevent people with disabilities from achieving
positive outcomes from the service.
None identified, the House Condition Survey 2010 will gather information on disabled residents and
“vulnerable households” and collects data on type of disability i.e. physical impairment, mental heath,
learning difficulties and older persons. It provides Decent Homes criteria for “vulnerability”, and identifies
the number of vulnerable households living in the non-decent accommodation.
3. Please detail how these barriers may be overcome.
Not Applicable
4. Please list any baseline data or evidence you have e.g. census data
The Private Sector House Condition Survey 2007- this survey demonstrated that special needs
households appear less likely to live in homes with category 1 hazards (excess cold, falling on stairs and on
level surfaces, etc.) although vulnerable households are more likely than other households to be in category
1 dwellings – the survey estimates that 23.7% of vulnerable households live in dwellings with a category 1
hazard. Please see attached HHSRS definition.
Decent Homes
Decent HomesStandards ( HHSRS Hazards).doc
Defintion.doc
Households with special needs are more likely to be living in unfit accommodation than those with no special
needs members. However, vulnerable households (7.8%) appear significantly more likely to be living in unfit
housing.
The data shows that the average energy SAP(Standard Assessment Procedure) ratings for vulnerable
households is only slightly below the average for non-vulnerable households. However, it is notable that a
greater proportion of vulnerable households have low SAP ratings. Overall it is estimated that 8.9% of
vulnerable households have a SAP of less than 30, this compares with only 4.0% of other households.
5. Please list any data or evidence you have which demonstrates service users
accessing the service
Not Applicable
6. Does this data show that any groups access the service more/less?
Not Applicable
Page 8 of 17
7. Does this data show any better or worse outcomes are achieved from the service for
this group?
Not Applicable
8. Can any unfavourable impact be justified?
None identified. Impacts will be favourable as the Condition Survey will collect data and evidence on
disability, and vulnerability, and would assist the council to target resources to disabled adaptations in
the dwellings, and provide assistance in accessing grants, energy savings, and others.
Gender
1. Please list any barriers that service users may encounter when accessing services
Not Applicable, the House Condition Survey 2010 will collect data on the gender of respondents.
2. Please list any barriers which may prevent people from achieving positive outcomes
from the service as a result of their gender
Not Applicable
3. Please detail how these barriers may be overcome.
Not Applicable
4. Please list any baseline data or evidence you have e.g. census data
Not Applicable
5. Please list any data or evidence you have which demonstrates service users
accessing the service
Not Applicable
6. Does this data show that any groups access the service more/less?
Not Applicable
7. Does this data show any better or worse outcomes are achieved from the service for
this group?
Not Applicable
8. Can any unfavourable impact be justified?
None identified.
Race
1. Please list any barriers that service users may encounter when accessing services
The House Condition Survey gathers information on the Housing Condition of Black Minority Ethnic
(BME) Groups, and therefore during the fieldwork, BME groups may not be able to participate due to
language issues.
2. Please list any barriers which may prevent people from achieving positive outcomes
from the service as a result of their race
During the field survey there is a possibility of under-representation by BME groups because of
language issues.
Page 9 of 17
3. Please detail how these barriers may be overcome.
A language panel providing contact details offered in corporate language panel that have been
indentified in the city was included in the letter sent to all households to ensure access to translation
services if required. The consultants carrying out the survey have appointed a surveyor from BME
background to ensure full participation by these groups. Special leaflets outlining cultural and faith
considerations were provided to the consultants.
In addition, to ensure a full representation from these groups the Community Voluntary Sector (CVS)
and Neighbourhood Management Teams brought the survey to the community leaders’ attention to
encourage the BME communities and the emerging refugee communities to participate in the survey.
The community leaders also provided a list of volunteers from BME community in case their help is
needed.
4. Please list any baseline data or evidence you have
The Private Sector House Condition Survey 2007 provided data on quality of housing for BME groups,
please see attached. The House Condition Survey 2010 will update this information and collect data on
the BME groups, and the condition of their houses.
BME HouseholdsCIA.doc
Housing Needs Assessment 2007 also provides information on BME residents: Please see link below:
http://www.salford.gov.uk/d/salford-housing-needs-assessment.pdf
5. Please list any data or evidence you have which demonstrates service users
accessing the service
Not applicable as the house condition survey is not a service. It will collect evidence on BME groups
who live in the private sector to identify the condition of their housing.
6. Does this data show that any groups access the service more/less?
Not Applicable
7. Does this data show any better or worse outcomes are achieved from the service for
this group?
Not Applicable
8. Can any unfavourable impact be justified?
None identified. Impacts will be favourable as the survey will collect data and evidence on the house
condition of the BME groups, and it will assist the council to target resources to provide assistance in
accessing financial assistance, energy savings advice, and other service to BME groups, and improve
the condition of their home.
Religion and/or belief
1. Please list any barriers that service users may encounter when accessing services
The House Condition Survey gathers information on the housing condition of all residents including
religion and belief groups, therefore during the field work religious groups may not be able to participate
due to religion and faith considerations.
2. Please list any barriers which may prevent people from achieving positive outcomes
from the service as a result of their religion and or belief
During the field survey there is a possibility of under-representation by religious groups due to religion
and faith considerations, sensitivity and needs.
Page 10 of 17
3. Please detail how these barriers may be overcome.
To ensure a full representation from the faith and religious groups, the CVS and Neighbourhood
Management Teams brought the survey to the community leaders’ attention to encourage faith groups
such as the Orthodox Jewish Community to participate in the survey. The community leaders also
provided a list of volunteers from the community in case their help is needed.
4. Please list any baseline data or evidence you have
Not Applicable
5. Please list any data or evidence you have which demonstrates service users
accessing the service
Not Applicable. The house condition survey is not a service , but it collects evidence on faith, and
religion groups to identify the condition of their housing.
6. Does this data show that any groups access the service more/less?
Not Applicable
7. Does this data show any better or worse outcomes are achieved from the service for
this group?
Not Applicable
8. Can any unfavourable impact be justified?
None identified. Impacts will be favourable as the survey will collect data and evidence on the house
condition of the religious groups and it will assist the council to target resources to provide assistance in
accessing grants, energy savings advice and improve their housing conditions.
Sexual identity
1. Please list any barriers that service users may encounter when accessing services
None identified
2. Please list any barriers which may prevent people from achieving positive outcomes
from the service as a result of their sexual identity
Not Applicable
3. Please detail how these barriers may be overcome.
Not Applicable
4. Please list any baseline data or evidence you have
Not Applicable
5. Please list any data or evidence you have which demonstrates service users
accessing the service
Not Applicable
6. Does this data show that any groups access the service more/less?
Not Applicable
7. Does this data show any better or worse outcomes are achieved from the service for
this group?
Not Applicable
Page 11 of 17
8. Can any unfavourable impact be justified?
None identified.
Community cohesion
1. Does the function promote/support community cohesion?
Not Applicable
2. If community cohesion is relevant to your function what steps will you take to
promote it?
Not Applicable
Page 12 of 17
Consultation – planning
Who are the groups, organisations and individual most likely to be affected by the proposed policy, directly and
indirectly?
All private sector residents in Salford will be affected by the survey, as the condition survey gathers evidence to enable the council
to target those who live in poor housing condition in the private sector.
What methods of consultation are most likely to succeed in attracting the organisations and people you want to reach?
The respondents have been asked if they agree to be contacted after the survey. A list of these will be compiled for future surveys
and consultations.
Has there been any recent research or consultation with the group/individuals you plan to consult?
Private Sector Stock Condition Survey Working Group has met regularly at least once a month to influence the survey process. The
working group representatives consult with residents that use and affected by the services their section provide, also some of the
working groups such as Home Improvement Agency Advisory Group has residents members. The group will continue meeting to
ensure that the policy recommendations will be implemented after the survey completed.
Consultation- results
Page 13 of 17
When did you undertake the consultation?
No- Direct consultation prior to survey has not taken place however 1300 residents were surveyed in September 2010 – December
2010. The results of the survey will be disseminated to different Steering Groups that will use the survey findings to target those in
poor housing condition, and fuel poverty. These are :

Affordable Warmth Strategy Steering Group consisting of PCT, Helping hands, Age Concern, Energy Grant Assessment)
Partnership (EGA Partnership) , Care on Call, Energy Savings Trust (EST) and Fuel Poverty Trust Home Improvement Agency Advisory Group
 Landlord Forum
 Greater Manchester Private Sector –Regional Licensing Group
 Empty Property Groups
 Residents organisations
 Home Energy Group
Did you reach all the groups/individuals you wanted to reach?
Not Applicable
What did you find?
Not Applicable
What will you change as a result of the consultation? Please ensure this is captured in the action plan
Not Applicable
Page 14 of 17
Action plan (following consultation)
Please list issues identified from targeted consultation and actions required
Issue identified
Action required
Person responsible
Disseminate the

Publish findings on Shahla
findings to teams /
Salford City Council Members
groups
Internet

of
/ Completion
the June 2011
Private Sector Stock
Presentations
different
groups
Zandi
Date required by Outcome
to Condition
condition survey findings
Improved housing stock
Survey
Improved quality of housing stock
working Working Group
,
by Better understanding of house
for vulnerable households
teams,
Reduced Fuel poverty
Directorates

Assessment
of Shahla Zandi
response rates by
2011
Better response rate in future
2014-2015
House Condition Surveys.
age, race, disability,
gender and religion
and belief in future
Survey ,
3Please ensure you have provided as much evidence as possible to support the responses you have given
Additional comments
Monitoring
Page 15 of 17
How and when will the action plan be monitored?
The actions identified will be monitored through the Sustainable Regeneration Business Planning process 2011-2014.
How and when will outcomes be recorded?
The outcomes will be recorded by different working groups (e.g. Affordable Warmth Strategy Steering Group) as part of their
individual Service Plans, and will be fed into the Sustainable Regeneration Business Planning process 2011-2014.
Who will the results of the impact assessment be shared with?
Sustainable Regeneration Directorate Senior Leadership Team and Lead Member for Housing on an annual basis.
Have the actions been mainstreamed into the service plan?
Yes (Housing Future Business Plan), and Panning and Transport Future Business Plan
Quality assurance
When you have completed your impact assessment, it must be submitted to your directorate quality assurance panel for
approval.
Signed
Sandra Mardell
Dated 02/03/11
(Completing officers)
Signed
Shahla Zandi
Dated 02/03/11
(Completing Officer and Lead officer)
Signed
Simone Baxter
Dan Welsh
Lauren Heaton
Trish Nunn
Dated 06/04/11
(Quality assurance panel)
Scribe
Chair
Page 16 of 17
This impact assessment must be reviewed every three years.
Review date: January 2013
Please send your approved impact assessment and narrative to elaine.barber@salford.gov.uk, for publishing on the
council’s website.
Page 17 of 17