The council and scheme landlords are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity in all elements of the scheme. This means that we seek to ensure that priority for housing is based on housing need and that housing policies are fair to all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
We want our services to be accessible to everyone who lives in Norwich. If you need extra help to be able to use our services, such as translation and interpretation services, large print or signing, please tell us.
All applicants for housing or rehousing may be asked to provide details of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. This is to allow us to assess the application properly as well as to monitor who is allocated housing, and to ensure that properties are being offered and allocated fairly.
4.1 Advice and assistance
4.1.1 The council will ensure that everybody in Norwich seeking housing can easily access the information and assistance they require to use the scheme effectively and we will provide advice on the range of housing options open to them. Staff will be available throughout office hours to provide advice and assistance on the full range of housing options available through the scheme.
4.2 Vulnerable groups
4.2. Due to the nature of Home Options, particularly the need for applicants to be proactive in the process, the council realises it is essential that vulnerable and excluded people can participate effectively. The council will therefore ensure all relevant staff are well trained so that they can assist vulnerable applicants to access and use the scheme.
4.2.2 All literature will be available in a large font and written in plain and unambiguous language. The website is compatible with screen readers and has browse aloud capability.
4.2.3 The council will also hold an ‘assisted applicants list’ for those who, due to their vulnerability, require additional help with the scheme. This additional help includes helping applicants bid for available homes or sending the property brochures directly to people who cannot access the internet.
4.2.4 The ‘assisted applicants list’ can be accessed by applicants or their support workers informing the council. This service will only be available for the most vulnerable clients as determined by the council.
4.2.5 To ensure vulnerable groups are not being disadvantaged under the scheme, the council will monitor systems to ensure all groups are using the scheme successfully.
