We believe that everyone should be treated fairly regardless of their race, colour, gender, ethnic or national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, medical condition, appearance or caring responsibilities.

• Together with our tenants, we expect a high standard of service from all those employed by us. It is the responsibility of everyone who represents Co-op Homes including employees, Committee Members and contractors to uphold the Equalities & Diversity Policy.
  
• The Board of Management Committee will try to ensure that its' membership reflects the cultural, age, ethnic and social diversity of the wider community.
  
• Action will be taken against anyone responsible for discrimination or harassment whilst working on our behalf or living in or visiting our properties.
  
• We have taken into account the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Disability Act 1995. In addition we have adopted the Commission for Racial Equality Codes of Practice for Rented Housing and Employment.

Housing & Services to Affiliated Groups

Co-op Homes is committed to a fair and open housing policy. This means that we will offer homes to people based on their housing need. Priority will be given to those who are judged to be in the greatest housing need. This is laid out in our Allocation Policy and those of our affiliated groups for whom we provide management services.

• Since we live in a multi-cultural society, we expect our estates and the people we house to reflect this. We monitor those applying for housing, the people on our transfer lists and local authority nominations and report regularly to Co-op Homes’ Board of Management Committee.
  
• All residents should be able to live in their homes free from nuisance or harassment. We will take action against residents who cause trouble, distress or disturbance to their neighbours and will support those residents who are the victims of harassment. Those found guilty of anti-­social behaviour could lose their home.
  
• English is not the first language for all of our applicants or residents and some may have difficulty reading or writing. We will communicate with people in ways that enable them to actively participate. This could include translation, tapes, Braille etc.

Development & Property Management

Providing homes for people with special or minority needs is an important activity for us. We work closely on occasions with specialist agencies to help meet these needs. We have provided new purpose built homes, or adapted existing ones, for people with physical disabilities.

• We expect all our contractors, consultants and partner agencies to uphold our Equalities & Diversity Policy. Accordingly, we expect them to provide a fair and equal service in both the delivery of services and the employment of their own staff. We also expect them to treat residents and staff politely, courteously and appropriately at all times. We will not hesitate to take action against contractors, consultants and agencies if necessary.

Employment & Training

We aim to have a workforce, which reflects all sections of the community. We have open recruitment and selection policies, practices and procedures. Equality of opportunity means that people are employed on their merit and ability. All employment policies and procedures are regularly reviewed to make sure that these are equally and fairly applied, to ensure that access remains open and that our requirements do not unfairly prevent people from applying for jobs.

• We encourage and support employees to reach their full potential through training courses and job development opportunities. We provide Equalities & Diversity training for all employees and Committee Members.

Review

The Board of Management Committee has a responsibility to set and review this policy and its effectiveness. In addition to collecting and monitoring records of the ethnic origin of people applying for and being allocated homes, we collect similar information for those seeking employment with Co-op Homes and from all existing employees and Committee Members.

• We will also monitor complaints and the nature/quality of properties allocated to residents by a range of data including ethnicity, gender, age and disability. Our performance will be measured against targets set using this information. This will be reported to the Board of Management Committee annually.
  
• As a provider of housing services and as an employer we have policies and procedures that cover all of our activities to make sure that discrimination does not occur.
  
• If you think we may have breached our Equalities & Diversity policy, please contact us at our Head Office, Co-op Homes, The Market Building, 191-195 High Street, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8LB or phone us on  020 8568 4112.
  
• This public policy statement is available in a range of other languages, large print or on audio tape on request.