[Cash-outreach-engagement-circle] Fwd: diversity, equality, access and inclusion

[Communication | CASH]

Hi Outreach & Engagement,

Could you advise?

Have a great weekend ahead!

Sz.

Communication Circle
*Community Assets for Society and Housing*




-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	diversity, equality, access and inclusion
Date: 	Thu, 4 May 2023 16:21:42 +0100
From: 	NRHC Allocations <allocations at nrhc.co.uk>
To: 	contact at ldn.cash



Hey,

as an allocations officer looking at where we need to improve within 
allocation policies, practices and procedures regarding diversity, 
equality, access and inclusion, I wanted to consult you. You had a 
workshop coming up in the beginning of the year I wanted to participate 
in which was however unfortunately canceled so I ask you by email.

We do have an Equality and Diversity Policy_2016 as part of the co-op 
policies. However I want to consult you specifically as to how to 
improve allocation looking at diversity, equality, access and inclusion. 
The main points I have in mind are:
-visibility of the website, information about the co-op and how to apply
-accessibility of the website
-accessibility of the application process: such as the application form 
and the two interviews

1)
We are in the process of getting our website up and running, and then 
check its accessibility withhttps://wave.webaim.org. The aim is to make 
it as accessible as possible, including information on how to apply as 
well as the option of putting oneself onto our expression of interest 
list, which is the first step in our application process.
Then we intend to have the website available at local libraries, 
community networks & other co-ops, sites like Lewisham council and/or 
their website, Deptford Library, etc and the Confederation of Housing 
Co-operatives or other websites about co-operative housing. Places where 
people who look for housing in the borough or who look up housing co-ops 
can find us.

2)
Application information and accessibility: explaining the application 
process well and giving the options of emailing or calling to get the 
application form sent by post, or going to the office to have it printed 
or calling allocations for help in filling in

3)
positive discrimination in the application process, for example an 
expression of interest list for Global Majority applicants and another 
expression of interest list for white applicants and making sure we have 
50/50 representation in our waiting list (folder of 10 applicants), so 
that the demographic of our co-op represents the demographic of our 
council of Lewisham > do you have examples of other housing 
co-operatives doing so?

4)
this goes beyond allocations but it also relates specifically to 
interview processes: organising training(s) in understanding our biases, 
in anti-white supremacy/anti-racism, anti-sexism and anti-ableism, or 
better put: to sensibilize members to deeper understandings as related 
to different ways of being and needs relating to sex, sexuality, gender, 
race, ability, class etc. > do you have examples of other housing 
co-operatives doing so? or trainings you would recommend?

Thank you for sharing with us any comments or suggestions regarding our 
intended improvements or if there are any others you recommend.

With best wishes

Tania
Christian Bower & Tania Soubry
Nettleton Road Co-op Allocations Officers
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