The letting and allocation system can have a significant impact on the company’s ability to understand a potential customers individual needs and aspirations, and then to provide products and services that meet those needs and aspirations.
Assessment of need
In order to ensure that all customers’ needs are accurately identified and assessed we will:
- Assist customers in making a housing application;
- Make sure that the housing application form is available in large print;
- Make sure that translation services are available through Language Line;
- Complete a risk assessment to identify customers’ support needs.
We will aim to meet these needs through our own services or refer customers to partners who can provide the required support including:
- English Churches Housing Association (support for young people with drug or alcohol problems);
- Nottingham Community Housing Association (floating support to under 25s);
- Amber Valley Association for Mental Health (floating support);
- Surestart (support for families with young children);
- East Derbyshire Domestic Violence (outreach and floating support for victims of violence).
Disability
Wherever possible we ensure that adapted properties are let to people that need them.
We do this by:
- Supporting tenants in securing adaptations to make their home accessible through Amber Valley Borough Council’s Disabled Facilities Grant Scheme;
- Identifying adaptation work that may be completed as part of the Major Improvement Scheme;
- Providing a minor adaptations service;
- Providing adaptations to the external environment (e.g. removal of steps around estates, the provision of ramps and improved lighting).
Race and ethnicity
At Amber Valley Housing we will:
- Endeavour to allocate at least 2% of homes each year to BME applicants;
- Work with other agencies and BME groups to consider ways of making Amber Valley Borough a more attractive place for BME groups to reside.
Sexual orientation
At Amber Valley Housing we are committed to ensuring equality in the provision of services to lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals by:
- Ensuring that team members are aware of and accept the particular issues experienced by lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals;
- Ensuring that they are treated with respect and understanding;
- Creating a safe environment where individuals feel confident to raise issues that may relate to their sexuality;
- Promoting equality of opportunity and the publication and promotion of harassment and anti-social behaviour policies.
Socially excluded groups
We are committed to providing co-ordinated housing and support services:
- For those leaving institutionalised care;
- Following custodial sentences.
Domestic violence / abuse
Victims of domestic violence are a group at risk of inequality, with particular needs in regards to housing, homelessness and support services.
Amber Valley Housing has a key role in influencing and implementing local strategy regarding domestic violence through:
- Participation in the Local Strategic Partnership domestic violence theme groups;
- Implementing a policy on domestic violence;
- Ensuring the appropriate provision of services to domestic violence victims;
- Publishing information and advice for victims;
- Making referrals to East Derbyshire Domestic Violence Service.
