SCREENING
Housing Growth and Improvement Action Plan
Last updated 6 October 2025
The assessment
New or existing service or policy?
Existing
Directorate/service area
Strategic growth
Officer(s) responsible for:
- Service/policy/project: Kate Bailey, Head of Strategic Growth
- Completing equality impact assessment: Kate Bailey, Head of Strategic Growth
Date
6 October 2025
What is the purpose? What are the outcomes?
To approve an action plan linked to a previously approved Housing Strategy.
Are there any statutory requirements? Who are the main customer groups / stakeholders?
No. The residents of Wyre Forest could be affected, for instance, if they live in poor-quality housing or are seeking a new home.
Who is intended to benefit from this service/policy? How will they benefit?
Through improvements to private rented sector housing, tackling fuel poverty and climate change and seeking to reduce homelessness.
What information are you using? What does the evidence show you?
Worcestershire Housing Strategy. Worcestershire Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy. The Housing Stock Condition report (2025).
What impact does the service/policy/project have on the following equality strands?
Protected characteristics: definitions
Before the Equality Act 2010, there were 3 separate public sector equality duties covering race, disability, and gender. The Equality Act 2010 replaced these with a new single equality duty covering the following protected characteristics.
| Characteristic and definition | Impact and evidence |
|---|---|
|
1. Age |
Neutral: Positive. Evidence: Through improving poor quality Private Rented Sector (PRS) |
|
2. Disability |
Neutral: Positive. Evidence: Through improving poor quality PRS and mitigating against the effects of climate change. |
|
3. Gender Reassignment |
Neutral: Neutral. Evidence: Not aware of any impact on people with this characteristic. |
|
4. Marriage and Civil Partnership |
Neutral: Neutral Evidence: Not aware of any impact on people with this characteristic. |
|
5. Pregnancy and Maternity |
Neutral: Neutral Evidence: Not aware of any impact on people with this characteristic. |
|
6. Race |
Neutral: Neutral Evidence: Not aware of any impact on people with this characteristic. |
|
7. Religion of belief |
Neutral: Neutral Evidence: Not aware of any impact on people with this characteristic. |
|
8. Sex |
Neutral: Neutral. Evidence: Not aware of any impact on people with this characteristic. |
|
9. Sexual Orientation |
Neutral: Neutral. Evidence: Not aware of any impact on people with this characteristic. |
|
Other e.g. deprivation, health inequalities, urban/rural divide, community safety |
Neutral: Positive. Evidence: This action plan has a positive benefit for those suffering from health inequalities. |
Review
Can any differential impact be justified? (for example, promoting equality of opportunity)
Not applicable
Does any adverse impact amount to unlawful discrimination?
Not applicable
What alternative actions could be taken to mitigate any adverse impact? (Add these to the action plan)
Not applicable
Consultation
Detail any specific consultation on this service/policy (if there is insufficient data, further consultation will need to be undertaken and included in the action plan)
Not applicable
Conclusion
Can the service/policy proceed?
Yes
How will the service/policy be monitored and reviewed? (please give a timescale)
The action plan will be reviewed and updated over its lifetime.
Is a full assessment required?
No
Signed: Kate Bailey, Head of Strategic Growth
Date: 6 October 2025