Homelessness Policy and Procedure

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The 2001 Act, Section 106 places a statutory duty on local authorities and registered social landlords to encourage equal opportunities. The term 'equal opportunities' covers the discrimination of, or proactive action for, a wide variety of minority groups, all of which must be included when equal opportunities are being considered. It is defined within the Scotland Act 1998 as 'the prevention, elimination or regulation of discrimination between persons on grounds of sex or marital status, on racial grounds, or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language or social origin, or of other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions, such as religious beliefs or opinions or political opinions'.

Discrimination

It is essential that applications are handled in a non-discriminatory manner, at minimum taking account of local authorities' duties under relevant equal opportunities legislation, for example:

the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 covers discrimination on account of gender.
the Race Relations Act 1976 places a general duty on local authorities to make appropriate arrangements with a view to securing that their functions are carried out with due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination; and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.
the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 prevents discrimination against disabled people in the sale or letting of houses.
As a matter of good practice staff should consider all equalities issues, not just those enshrined in legislation, for example sectarianism or discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or age.