General Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) Form
Support:
An EIA toolkit, workshop content, and guidance for completing an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) form are available on the EIA page of the EDI Internal Hub. Please read these before completing this form.
For enquiries and further support if the toolkit and guidance do not answer your questions, contact the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) team by emailing Equalities@Brighton-Hove.gov.uk. If your request is urgent, please mention this in the subject line of your email so we can support as required.
Processing Time:
· EIAs can take up to 10 business days to approve after a completed EIA of a good standard is submitted to the EDI Team. This is not considering unknown and unplanned impacts of capacity, resource constraints, and work pressures on the EDI team at the time your EIA is submitted.
· If your request is urgent, we can explore support exceptionally on request.
· We encourage improved planning and thinking around EIAs to avoid urgent turnarounds as these make EIAs riskier, limiting, and blind spots may remain unaddressed for the ‘activity’ you are assessing.
Process:
· Once fully completed, submit your EIA to the Equalities team by emailing the Equalities inbox and copying in your Head of Service, Business Improvement Manager (if one exists in your directorate), any other relevant service colleagues to enable EIA communication, tracking and saving.
· Your EIA will be reviewed, discussed, and then approved by the assigned EDI Officer and after seeking additional approval as appropriate for your EIA.
· Only approved EIAs are to be attached to Committee reports. Unapproved EIAs are invalid.
1. Assessment details
Throughout this form, ‘activity’ is used to refer to many different types of proposals being assessed.
Read the EIA toolkit for more information.
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Use of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) voids as Temporary Accommodation |
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Directorate: |
Homes & Adult Social Care |
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Service: |
Temporary & Supported Accommodation |
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Team: |
Temporary Accommodation |
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Is this a new or existing activity? |
Existing |
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Are there related EIAs that could help inform this EIA? Yes or No (If Yes, please use this to inform this assessment) |
Yes |
2. Contributors to the assessment (Name and Job title)
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Responsible Lead Officer: |
Aaron Burns, Head of Temporary & Supported Accommodation |
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Accountable Manager: |
Harry Williams, Director of Housing People Services |
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Additional stakeholders collaborating or contributing to this assessment: |
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3. About the activity
Briefly describe the purpose of the activity being assessed:
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The purpose is to use Housing Revenue Account voids as Temporary Accommodation for an interim period between 19 January and 1 May. |
What are the desired outcomes of the activity?
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The interim use is expected to achieve £0.757m (with a full year effect) of savings to help address an anticipated in-year overspend of £4.8 million on nightly paid Temporary Accommodation, with the benefit of producing more stable and better-quality housing for newly homeless households. |
Which key groups of people do you think are likely to be affected by the activity?
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Council tenants, households on the housing register and people experiencing homelessness will most likely be affected by this activity. |
4. Consultation and engagement
What consultations or engagement activities have already happened that you can use to inform this assessment?
· For example, relevant stakeholders, groups, people from within the council and externally consulted and engaged on this assessment. If no consultation has been done or it is not enough or in process – state this and describe your plans to address any gaps.
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Relevant internal stakeholders, including the Cabinet Member for Housing, have been kept informed of the increasing cost of Temporary Accommodation, the anticipated in-year overspend, and the intended interim approach to the use of HRA voids. Broader community engagement will be undertaken as part of the formal consultation process. Public consultation has not taken place due to the interim nature of the policy. Formal consultation with stakeholders, including tenants, households on the council’s housing register, and community representatives will commence during the period to inform any future policy development or extension. |
5. Current data and impact monitoring
Do you currently collect and analyse the following data to enable monitoring of the impact of this activity? Consider all possible intersections.
(State Yes, No, Not Applicable as appropriate)
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Age |
Yes |
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Disability and inclusive adjustments, coverage under equality act and not |
Yes |
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Ethnicity, ‘Race’, ethnic heritage (including Gypsy, Roma, Travellers) |
Yes |
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Religion, Belief, Spirituality, Faith, or Atheism |
Yes |
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Gender Identity and Sex (including non-binary and Intersex people) |
Yes |
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Gender Reassignment |
No |
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Sexual Orientation |
Yes |
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Marriage and Civil Partnership |
Yes |
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Pregnant people, Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Menopause, (In)fertility (across the gender spectrum) |
Yes |
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Armed Forces Personnel, their families, and Veterans |
Yes |
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Expatriates, Migrants, Asylum Seekers, and Refugees |
Yes |
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Carers |
Yes |
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Looked after children, Care Leavers, Care and fostering experienced people |
Yes |
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Domestic and/or Sexual Abuse and Violence Survivors, and people in vulnerable situations (All aspects and intersections) |
Yes |
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Socio-economic Disadvantage |
Yes |
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Homelessness and associated risk and vulnerability |
Yes |
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Human Rights |
Yes |
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Another relevant group (please specify here and add additional rows as needed) |
Yes,
including: · Ex-offenders and people with unrelated convictions · Lone parents · People experiencing homelessness
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Additional relevant groups that may be widely disadvantaged and have intersecting experiences that create exclusion and systemic barriers may include:
· Ex-offenders and people with unrelated convictions
· Lone parents
· People experiencing homelessness
· People facing literacy, numeracy and /or digital barriers
· People on a low income and people living in the most deprived areas
· People who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM)
· People who have experienced human trafficking or modern slavery
· People with experience of or living with addiction and/ or a substance use disorder (SUD)
· Sex workers
If you answered “NO” to any of the above, how will you gather this data to enable improved monitoring of impact for this activity?
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What are the arrangements you and your service have for monitoring, and reviewing the impact of this activity?
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Data is collected as part of a household’s application for help with homelessness or to join the housing register. The implementation of the interim measure will be overseen by a panel of relevant service managers, who will oversee letting decisions to ensure consistency, fairness and transparency. The panel will consider exceptions to the interim policy for letting HRA voids as Temporary Accommodation on a case-by-case basis, with clear criteria and records maintained for audit purposes. |
6. Impacts
Advisory Note:
· Impact:
o Assessing disproportionate impact means understanding potential negative impact (that may cause direct or indirect discrimination), and then assessing the relevance (that is: the potential effect of your activity on people with protected characteristics) and proportionality (that is: how strong the effect is).
o These impacts should be identified in the EIA and then re-visited regularly as you review the EIA every 12 to 18 months as applicable to the duration of your activity.
· SMART Actions mean: Actions that are (SMART = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, T = Time-bound)
· Data analysis and Insights:
o In each protected characteristic or group, in answer to the question ‘If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?’, describe what you have learnt from your data analysis about disproportionate impacts, stating relevant insights and data sources.
o Find and use contextual and wide ranges of data analysis (including community feedback) to describe what the disproportionate positive and negative impacts are on different, and intersecting populations impacted by your activity, especially considering for Health inequalities, review guidance and inter-related impacts, and the impact of various identities.
o For example: If you are doing road works or closures in a particular street or ward – look at a variety of data and do so from various protected characteristic lenses. Understand and analyse what that means for your project and its impact on different types of people, residents, family types and so on. State your understanding of impact in both effect of impact and strength of that effect on those impacted.
· Data Sources:
o Consider a wide range (including but not limited to):
§ Population and population groups
· Census 2021 population groups Infogram: Brighton & Hove by Brighton and Hove City Council
§ Census and local intelligence data
§ Service specific data
§ Community consultations
§ Insights from customer feedback including complaints and survey results
§ Lived experiences and qualitative data
§ Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) data
§ Good practice research
§ National data and reports relevant to the service
§ Workforce, leaver, and recruitment data, surveys, insights
§ Feedback from internal ‘staff as residents’ consultations
§ Insights, gaps, and data analyses on intersectionality, accessibility, sustainability requirements, and impacts.
§ Insights, gaps, and data analyses on ‘who’ the most intersectionally marginalised and excluded under-represented people and communities are in the context of this EIA.
· Learn more about the Equality Act 2010 and about our Public Sector Equality Duty.
6.1 Age
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to any particular Age group? For example: older people, people who may be housebound, those under 16, young adults, with other intersections. |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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The majority of main applicants on
the housing register are aged 20–49. Children are
significantly over-represented among homeless
households:
Households with children are more likely to be owed a homelessness duty and to be placed in TA. 47% of households in TA at the end of 2024 had children, with a local rate (5.73 per 1,000 households) higher than the national average (3.5 per 1,000).
The interim scheme prioritises families, particularly those with children in education or with special needs, for in-city placements. This approach is designed to minimise disruption to schooling and maintain access to essential health and support services. It is well established that homelessness places children at a significant disadvantage, which is why statutory guidance restricts hotel placements for families to a maximum of six weeks. The interim action is expected to mitigate these negative impacts by enabling families to transition directly into stable, affordable accommodation, rather than experiencing multiple emergency placements.
The Council recognises the importance of this interim policy and has explicitly committed to moving households with children back into the city wherever possible. While it is not feasible to sustain this approach indefinitely, particularly during periods of exceptionally high demand, which may result in delays for some families, the welfare benefits for children are clear and substantial.
Moving families more quickly from unsuitable TA (e.g., B&Bs, out-of-area placements) is expected to improve health and educational attainment for children.
A temporary reduction in general needs housing is likely to increase waiting times for other families on the housing register. The practical impact will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis; however, in general, delays will correspond to the duration of the interim scheme, approximately 3.5 months.
Older people are less likely to be directly affected by the interim measure, as seniors housing is excluded from the interim scheme. However, there may be indirect impacts for older individuals who are carers for children. For those who do not wish to access seniors housing, their circumstances will be considered in relation to other vulnerabilities that may be exacerbated by age, ensuring that any additional needs are appropriately addressed.
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6.2 Disability:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Disability, considering our anticipatory duty? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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44% of people identified as homeless in the 2021 Census had a limiting long-term condition, compared to 19% citywide.
8.8% of
applicants on the housing register have a mobility code, but this
likely underestimates the true prevalence of disability, especially
for non-physical or neurodivergent conditions: 54% of main duty homeless applicants had at least one disability-related support need (mental health, learning disability, or physical ill health):
All Temporary Accommodation must meet the council’s lettable standard and be suitable for the specific needs of each household. In addition, the prioritisation matrix within the interim policy includes households who are vulnerable or have medical needs requiring frequent local treatment. A key objective of the scheme is to provide local accommodation for those who need to remain in the city for the reasons set out in the interim policy
Mobility adapted properties are generally excluded from the scheme, unless in exceptional circumstances. The impact on these households is likely to be minimal, if at all. Disabled households who require mobility adapted properties, or Extra Care, will still be able to access these homes during the interim period. |
What inclusive adjustments are you making for diverse disabled people impacted? For example: those who are housebound due to disability or disabling circumstances, D/deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, blind, neurodivergent people, those with non-visible disabilities, and with access requirements that may not identify as disabled or meet the legal definition of disability, and have various intersections (Black and disabled, LGBTQIA+ and disabled).
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The interim policy allows for a series of exemptions that on a case-by-case basis allow for properties to be exclude from the proposal and let to households on the housing register. The exemptions include: · Where there is a serious safeguarding risk or urgent medical need and allocating an existing council tenant, a new property is deemed the only way to safeguard. · Where there is a household with an assessed care and support need in residential or alternative care whose needs could be met within general needs accommodation · Other exceptional circumstances to be assessed on a case-by-case basis
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6.3 Ethnicity, ‘Race’, ethnic heritage (including Gypsy, Roma, Travellers):
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to ethnicity? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Black and Racially Minoritised (BRM) groups are over-represented among homeless applicants: 36–39% of main duty applicants, compared to 26% of citywide residents
BRM households are more likely to be in priority need due to dependent children and less likely due to mental health problems:
National data shows higher rates of homelessness and overcrowding among Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic households. The use of HRA voids as Temporary Accommodation will reduce the risk of BRM families being placed far from cultural, faith, and community support networks The interim policy may expedite housing for larger families living in Temporary Accommodation, which are more common in some ethnic groups. However, if waiting times for general needs housing increase, BRM households on the register may be disproportionately affected:
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6.4 Religion, Belief, Spirituality, Faith, or Atheism:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Religion, Belief, Spirituality, Faith, or Atheism? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Muslims are over-represented among homeless households (12% of main duty applicants vs. 3% of citywide residents):
Decisions to place someone into Temporary Accommodation can affect proximity to places of worship. Further, faith-based needs (e.g., dietary requirements, single-sex accommodation) may not always be met in TA, particularly nightly paid TA where facilities are often shared or limited. In-city placements allow households to remain close to distinct places of worship and faith communities. Reduced use of nightly paid TA will improve access to cooking and washing facilities for households. This may be of particular importance to certain faiths with strict dietary and or other requirements. A lack of formal consultation in the temporary period may mean some faith-based needs are overlooked in the allocation or adaptation of voids. However, this will be addressed during a formal consultation later on. |
6.5 Gender Identity and Sex:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Gender Identity and Sex (including non-binary and intersex people)? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Women are more likely to be main applicants for homelessness prevention or main duty (55–60%), while men are more likely to present at the relief stage or as rough sleepers.
Trans and non-binary people are over-represented among homeless applicants compared to the general population (1.8% vs. 0.2%):
Our computerised record system was not able to produce a report on the sex/gender of the applicants on the Housing Register. Data on the title of main applicants in each priority queue on the Housing Register has been used as a proxy for sex/gender and is set out below. Based on this data, women are also more likely to be main applicants on the housing register:
The interim policy prioritises families, many of which include a woman as main/lead applicant, and includes criteria for those fleeing domestic abuse, which women are more typically survivors of compared to men. Women on the housing register will also be affected by this interim policy, as the temporary reduction in available properties during the interim period will limit opportunities for secure tenancies. However, those impacted will continue to have access to stable accommodation through Temporary Accommodation placements. The primary disadvantage is the absence of a secure tenancy, which is mainly a matter of financial security. For the majority of households, this difference is mitigated by housing benefit support, which covers the rental gap between temporary and secure tenancies.
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6.6 Gender Reassignment:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Gender Reassignment? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Trans people have a higher risk of homelessness and report poor experiences in some homeless services, including safety concerns whilst living in Temporary Accommodation. This was identified in the Trans Needs Assessment undertaken by the council in 2015. Consultation on the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy identified the following issue for this group: · Hate crime against trans people and the need for a zero-tolerance policy in social and supported housing. · Safety issues, particularly in emergency / interim and other temporary accommodation. · Fear of discrimination when approaching services for support. · A clearer pathway for trans survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. · The need for trans friendly accommodation and service provision in the city.
There is limited data on Trans people on the housing register. It is not possible to fully determine the disproportionate impact on this group in this initial EIA. Formal consultation, planned within the interim period, will help understand the impacts on Trans people on the housing register. However, the panel can consider individual needs and safety for trans applicants. It is probable that they will feel safer in a council accommodation. |
6.7 Sexual Orientation:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Sexual Orientation? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Brighton & Hove has the highest rate of LGBTQ+ residents in England (10.7%), according to the Census 2021, which nationally 3.7% of respondents identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or other sexual orientation across England and Wales. LGBTQ+ people are at greater risk of homelessness, often reported as due to family rejection or discrimination:
The prioritisation of households placed out of city may help of LGBTQ+ people maintain support networks within the city. LGBTQ+ people are underrepresented on the council’s housing register, with only 6.5% of households identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or other sexual orientation:
The impact of this interim policy on this group may not be fully known. Consultation on the interim policy with households on the housing register will better help understand the effects. |
6.8 Marriage and Civil Partnership:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Marriage and Civil Partnership? |
No |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Being married or in a civil partnership is a protective factor against homelessness; single people are over-represented among homeless populations. The policy does not directly discriminate based on marital status. Whilst still considered a priority, single people are less likely to benefit from the interim measure, as families have a higher priority weighting. |
6.9 Pregnant people, Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Menopause, (In)fertility (across the gender spectrum):
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Pregnant people, Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Menopause, (In)fertility (across the gender spectrum)? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Of the 2,205 households who were accepted for the main duty between the 2020 and 2024 calendar years combined, 1.5% were recorded as in priority need because the applicant was or the household included a pregnant woman. Pregnant people and parents with young children are prioritized for in-city placements, reducing health risks and supporting family stability Our computerised record system does not record whether applicants on the Housing Register are pregnant. The impact of this interim policy on this group may not be fully known. Consultation on the interim policy with households on the housing register will better help understand the effects. |
6.10 Armed Forces Personnel, their families, and Veterans:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Armed Forces Members and Veterans? |
No |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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The 2021 Census estimates that there are 5,618 people in Brighton and Hove who have previously served in the armed forces. This is around 2.4% of the population. Housing service data on support needs for applicants between the 2020 and 2024 calendar years combined indicates that those recorded as having served in the armed forces were 0.1% of those owed a prevention duty, 0.3% of those owed a relief duty and 0.1% of those accepted for the main housing duty if homelessness was not prevented or relieved. The total number of applicants was 21, of which 3 initially owed a prevention duty and 18 a relief duty (with 3 of those who were owed a relief duty going on to be accepted for the main housing duty). Our computerised record system does not record whether applicants on the Housing Register are Armed Forces Personnel, their families, or Veterans, however there are only 3 households on the Council’s Housing Register with an armed forces band reason – these households may be on the register but under a different band reason. The interim policy does not exclude veterans and may benefit veterans who are part of a wider household with dependent children. The impact of this interim policy on this group may not be fully known. Consultation on the interim policy with households on the housing register will better help understand the effects. |
6.11 Expatriates, Migrants, Asylum Seekers, and Refugees:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Expatriates, Migrants, Asylum seekers, Refugees, those New to the UK, and UK visa or assigned legal status? (Especially considering for age, ethnicity, language, and various intersections) |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Analysis of housing service data on the nationality of homeless main applicants between the 2020 and 2024 calendar years combined indicates that a sizeable minority were recorded as nationals of a country other than the UK, who were 19% (529 of 2,754) of those owed a prevention duty, 16% (945 of 5,741) of those owed a relief duty and 17% (383 of 2,205) of those accepted for the main housing. Migrant and refugee families face additional barriers (language, discrimination). There are considerable support networks for migrants and refugees and frequently In-city placements supports integration and access to services. Our computerised record system does not record whether applicants on the Housing Register are expatriates, migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. The impact of this interim policy on this group may not be fully known. Consultation on the interim policy with households on the housing register will better help understand the effects. |
6.12 Carers:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Carers (Especially considering for age, ethnicity, language, and various intersections). |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Data from the Census 2021 indicates that 20,804 people in the city provide unpaid care for someone who has long-term physical or mental ill-health conditions, illness or problems related to old age Carers can include people who have care needs themselves or be young carers looking after a parent or other family member. Financial vulnerability increases risk of homelessness in this group. Around 28% of carers in the UK live in relative poverty after housing costs, with 1.2 million unpaid carers living in poverty. Only 51% of informal carers aged 16+ are in employment compared with 60% of the general population aged 16+. Data on this protected characteristic is not recorded in the data held on homelessness applications and assessments in a structured way that can readily be analysed. Further, our computerised record system does not record whether applicants on the Housing Register are carers. The impact of this interim policy on this group may not be fully known. Consultation on the interim policy with households on the housing register will better help understand the effects. |
6.13 Looked after children, Care Leavers, Care and fostering experienced people:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Looked after children, Care Leavers, Care and fostering experienced children and adults (Especially considering for age, ethnicity, language, and various intersections). Also consider our Corporate Parenting Responsibility in connection to your activity. |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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In 2023 a total of 345 children were in care in Brighton & Hove. The number of children in care varies from year to year but has fallen over time in the city. In the same year, 163 children ceased to be looked after by the local authority.
Analysis of housing service data on support needs for homelessness applicants between the 2020 and 2024 calendar years combined indicates that those recorded as care leavers at the time of their initial assessment were 0.6% (16 of 2,754) of those owed a prevention duty, 2.5% (146 of 5,741) of those owed a relief duty and 2.4% (53 of 2,205) of those accepted for the main housing duty.
Brighton & Hove City Council's as corporate parent has collective responsibility to act as a good parent for the children and young people in its care, including care leavers. This legal duty involves all council employees, elected members, and commissioned services supporting these young people's education, health, welfare, and overall well-being
The interim policy prioritises Care Leavers for letting to HRA voids as Temporary Accommodation, allowing for Care Leavers to access better quality and more affordable accommodation.
Our computerised record system does not record whether applicants on the Housing Register are Care Leavers, however there are 44 households on the register with the care leaver priority band reason. The impact of this interim policy on this group may not be fully known. Consultation on the interim policy with households on the housing register will better help understand the effects.
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6.14 Homelessness:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to people experiencing homelessness, and associated risk and vulnerability? (Especially considering for age, veteran, ethnicity, language, and various intersections) |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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A detailed review of homelessness in the city has informed the development of the interim policy and supported the drafting of this Equality Impact Assessment. Data on homelessness and rough sleeping can be found in the review document. Intersections between homelessness and protected characteristics are identified in other sections of this equality impact assessment. Two categories of risk in relation to protected characteristics and their intersections need to be highlighted here: the risk of becoming homeless and increased risk when homeless. Other factors, not related to characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010, are also likely to compound risk, for example, substance misuse, employment status, educational achievement, and personal circumstances. The interim pilot directly targets those at highest risk, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce the negative impacts of homelessness; however, some groups may remain in less suitable TA as supply of HRA voids is limited.
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6.15 Domestic and/or Sexual Abuse and Violence Survivors, people in vulnerable situations:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Domestic Abuse and Violence Survivors, and people in vulnerable situations (All aspects and intersections)? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Housing service data on homelessness applications between the 2020 and 2024 calendar years combined includes the main reason for the applicant’s loss of their settled home, with a category for cases where they are a victim of domestic abuse. This applied to 4% (104 of 2,754) of households owed a prevention duty and 9% (543 of 5,741) of those owed a relief duty. Of the 2,205 households whose homelessness was not prevented or relieved and who were accepted for the main duty during the same period, 4% were recorded as in priority need specifically because the applicant fled domestic abuse. The proportion of people who are at risk of and/or have experienced domestic abuse is higher (16%) based on the data on additional support needs for homelessness applicants. The data on additional support needs includes three categories relating to different types of abuse, as shown in the table below. This shows that significant proportions of homeless applicants are likely to be survivors of domestic, sexual and/or other forms of abuse, ranging from 8% of those owed a prevention duty, 17% of those owed a relief duty, and 20% of those accepted for the main housing duty.
Analysis of housing service data over time points to a significant increase in the numbers of victims of domestic abuse approaching the council at the relief stage (where they are already homeless). The table below shows the number of people assessed as owed a relief duty by main reason.
The interim policy prioritises households made homeless due to domestic violence or abuse; however may require specialist support and safe, confidential placements that are better achieved during this temporary scheme The council has developed a series of Women’s only Temporary Accommodation schemes, one of which includes on site support, which will help address this issue. Our computerised record system does not record whether applicants on the Housing Register are DVA survivors. However, as stated previously, women are overrepresented as the lead applicant for help with homelessness or to join the housing register. Typically, women are more likely to experience DVA. Whilst on one hand survivors of DVA in Temporary Accommodation will benefit from this interim policy, survivors on the register will be impacted.
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6.16 Socio-economic Disadvantage:
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Does your analysis indicate a disproportionate impact relating to Socio-economic Disadvantage? (Especially considering for age, disability, D/deaf/ blind, ethnicity, expatriate background, and various intersections) |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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All applicants on the housing register are likely to be subject to socio-economic disadvantage; average incomes are well below the threshold for market rents The interim policy aims to reduce the use of expensive, poor-quality TA and support financial stability for affected households who have to pay a contribution towards their rent, as they are not entitled to full Housing Benefit, due to factors such as employment. Households on the waiting list but not prioritised for TA may experience increased hardship due to longer waits. |
6.17 Human Rights:
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Will your activity have a disproportionate impact relating to Human Rights? |
Yes |
If “YES”, what are the positive and negative disproportionate impacts?
Please share relevant insights from data and engagement to show how conclusions about impact have been shaped. Include relevant data sources or references.
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Brighton & Hove City Council recognises the right to adequate housing and signed the Homeless Bill of Rights in 2021. In practice, this means placements should enable people to live with security, peace, and dignity. In city placements in council TA reduce disruption to family life, support continuity of healthcare and schooling. Suitability assessments and review rights further protect household autonomy
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6.18 Cumulative, multiple intersectional, and complex impacts (including on additional relevant groups):
What cumulative or complex impacts might the activity have on people who are members of multiple Minoritised groups?
· For example: people belonging to the Gypsy, Roma, and/or Traveller community who are also disabled, LGBTQIA+, older disabled trans and non-binary people, older Black and Racially Minoritised disabled people of faith, young autistic people.
· Also consider wider disadvantaged and intersecting experiences that create exclusion and systemic barriers:
o People being housebound due to disabilities or disabling circumstances
o Environmental barriers or mobility barriers impacting those with sight loss, D/deafness, sensory requirements, neurodivergence, various complex disabilities
o People experiencing homelessness
o People on a low income and people living in the most deprived areas
o People facing literacy, numeracy and/or digital barriers
o Lone parents
o People with experience of or living with addiction and/ or a substance use disorder (SUD)
o Sex workers
o Ex-offenders and people with unrelated convictions
o People who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM)
o People who have experienced human trafficking or modern slavery
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Many households affected by homelessness and temporary accommodation in Brighton & Hove experience not just a single disadvantage, but a combination of factors that interact and compound risk.
The intersection of these characteristics increases both the complexity of need and the risk of exclusion or poor outcomes. For example, a lone parent from a racially minoritised background with a disabled child may face barriers related to language, discrimination, caring responsibilities, and access to suitable housing
The use of a multi-disciplinary panel to oversee allocations and exceptions is designed to identify and respond to intersectional needs. By reviewing cases holistically, the panel can consider the full context of each household rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
The prioritisation criteria explicitly include factors that often intersect, such as children with special educational needs, households experiencing domestic abuse, and those with complex medical or care needs.
The interim measure’s focus on in-city placements and suitability assessments creates opportunities to reduce the cumulative impact of multiple disadvantages (e.g., keeping children in their schools, maintaining access to health and support services, and reducing isolation for minoritised groups).
Despite improvements, there are still significant gaps in the collection and analysis of data on intersectional identities and needs. For example, not all disabilities are recorded (especially neurodivergence or mental health), and data on sexual orientation, gender identity, and caring status is often incomplete or missing. This can lead to some needs being overlooked in both policy design and individual case decisions
If the interim action reduces the availability of general needs housing, those with less visible or less “prioritised” intersectional needs (e.g., single adults with mental health issues and a history of care) may experience longer waits and greater instability, further compounding their disadvantage.
It is recommended that the lettings panel regularly review the impact of the pilot on households with multiple disadvantages, using both quantitative data and qualitative feedback, and adapt processes as needed to address gaps. Further that intersection is further explored as part of the consultation on the interim policy.
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7. Action planning
What SMART actions will be taken to address the disproportionate and cumulative impacts you have identified?
· Summarise relevant SMART actions from your data insights and disproportionate impacts below for this assessment, listing appropriate activities per action as bullets. (This will help your Business Manager or Fair and Inclusive Action Plan (FIAP) Service representative to add these to the Directorate FIAP, discuss success measures and timelines with you, and monitor this EIA’s progress as part of quarterly and regular internal and external auditing and monitoring)
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1. Carry out formal consultation on the interim policy to capture the experience and impact of households affected by the interim measure, including people placed in Temporary Accommodation as a result and applicants on the housing register who may experience delay or changes in offers. |
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2. Monitor the lettings decisions made by the panel to capture information on groups benefiting or impacted by the interim measure to support any changes or amendment to the interim policy and better inform a decision at the end of the interim period. |
Which action plans will the identified actions be transferred to?
· For example: Team or Service Plan, Local Implementation Plan, a project plan related to this EIA, FIAP (Fair and Inclusive Action Plan) – mandatory noting of the EIA on the Directorate EIA Tracker to enable monitoring of all equalities related actions identified in this EIA. This is done as part of FIAP performance reporting and auditing. Speak to your Directorate’s Business Improvement Manager (if one exists for your Directorate) or to the Head of Service/ lead who enters actions and performance updates on FIAP and seek support from your Directorate’s EDI Business Partner.
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The actions will be transferred into a wider project plan for the interim measure, and overseen by a programme board focusing on the longer-term financial sustainability of the council, related to the costs of homelessness and temporary accommodation. |
8. Outcome of your assessment
What decision have you reached upon completing this Equality Impact Assessment? (Mark ‘X’ for any ONE option below)
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Stop or pause the activity due to unmitigable disproportionate impacts because the evidence shows bias towards one or more groups. |
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Adapt or change the activity to eliminate or mitigate disproportionate impacts and/or bias. |
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Proceed with the activity as currently planned – no disproportionate impacts have been identified, or impacts will be mitigated by specified SMART actions. |
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Proceed with caution – disproportionate impacts have been identified but having considered all available options there are no other or proportionate ways to achieve the aim of the activity (for example, in extreme cases or where positive action is taken). Therefore, you are going to proceed with caution with this policy or practice knowing that it may favour some people less than others, providing justification for this decision. |
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If your decision is to “Proceed with caution”, please provide a reasoning for this:
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Social housing and accessible TA are scarce. The interim measure temporarily reduces the number of general needs lets available via bidding. The evidence indicates disproportionate impact may arise for some groups on the housing register, while strong positive impacts are expected for those who are newly homeless or in interim placements outside the city and in particular those households which are families have children, disabled households, and survivors of domestic abuse through improved quality of accommodation, better security of tenure and the benefits of in city housing. Proceeding with caution is justified because the interim position is time limited, tightly governed by a multidisciplinary panel, subject to weekly monitoring, and includes clear exemptions and remediation routes. The SMART Actions set out above will mitigate and monitor impacts. In the event that there are no suitable households to meet the criteria for a placement under this process, then the property will either be held over for others or go back onto the housing register for bidding on.
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Summarise your overall equality impact assessment recommendations to include in any committee papers to help guide and support councillor decision-making:
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10.1 An initial Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) has been undertaken to assess the time-limited interim measure for the use of HRA voids as Temporary Accommodation. A further EIA will be completed following formal consultation, and provided should an extension of the interim measure beyond 1 May be proposed
The analysis demonstrates that the interim measure will have material, and in many cases positive, differential impacts for a range of protected groups and intersecting cohorts. These include:
· Children and young people, and families · Disabled people, including neurodivergent people and those with non-visible disabilities · Ethnicity, race and ethnic heritage, including Black and Racially Minoritised (BRM) households · Religion or belief · Sex and gender identity, including women and TNBI people · Pregnancy, maternity and early parenthood · Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees · Carers and care-experienced people · Survivors of domestic and sexual abuse · Human rights considerations
Many households experience multiple, overlapping disadvantages. To address this, the Lettings Panel will record an intersectional rationale for each decision, ensuring that overlapping needs are considered in prioritisation and that any adjustments are clearly documented. Monthly dashboards will monitor for disparities across characteristics and intersections, enabling targeted action where required.
To mitigate risks and ensure the interim measure remains responsive to equalities considerations, the EIA proposes two key actions:
1. Undertake formal consultation on the interim policy to capture the experiences and impacts on households affected, including those placed in Temporary Accommodation and applicants on the housing register who may experience delays or changes in offers. 2. Monitor lettings decisions made by the panel to capture information on groups benefiting from or impacted by the interim measure, supporting any necessary changes to the policy and informing decisions at the end of the interim period.
The EIA recommends proceeding with caution. The interim scheme is time-limited and subject to robust governance, including weekly monitoring and case-by-case exemptions. Evidence indicates strong positive impacts for families with children, disabled households, survivors of domestic abuse, and households currently placed out of area, through improved quality and stability of accommodation.
However, there are also risks of longer waits for some groups on the housing register during the interim period, and gaps in structured equality data that require active management.
Proceeding with caution is justified given the urgent need to reduce expenditure on nightly-paid accommodation and to improve in-city stability for households. The proposed actions provide a proportionate and practical mitigation framework for the interim period.
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9. Publication
All Equality Impact Assessments will be published. If you are recommending, and choosing not to publish your EIA, please provide a reason:
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10. Directorate and Service Approval
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Signatory: |
Name and Job Title: |
Date: DD-MMM-YY |
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Responsible Lead Officer: |
Aaron Burns, Head of Temporary & Supported Accommodation |
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Accountable Manager: |
Harry Williams, Director of Housing People Services |
09/01/2026 |
Notes, relevant information, and requests (if any) from Responsible Lead Officer and Accountable Manager submitting this assessment:
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EDI Review, Actions, and Approval:
Equality Impact Assessment sign-off
EDI Business Partner to cross-check against aims of the equality duty, public sector duty and our civic responsibilities the activity considers and refer to relevant internal checklists and guidance prior to recommending sign-off.
Once the EDI Officer has considered the equalities impact to provide approval for by those submitting the EIA, they will get the EIA signed off and sent to the requester copying the Head of Service, Business Improvement Manager, Equalities inbox, any other service colleagues as appropriate to enable EIA tracking, accountability, and saving for publishing. Budget and Staffing EIAs secure approval via different templates.
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Signatory: |
Name: |
Date: DD-MMM-YY |
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EDI Business Partner: |
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EDI Manager: |
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Notes and recommendations from EDI Business Partner reviewing this assessment:
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Notes and recommendations (if any) from EDI Manager reviewing this assessment:
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