Other key issues

Equality, diversity and fairness

Small Heath Park Housing Co-operative continues to ensure that we:

• recognise that groups and individuals have suffered, and continue to suffer, from discrimination;
• recognise the need for equality of opportunity and the management of diversity in all aspects of our operations;
• aim to ensure that nobody receives less favourable treatment from us, or from agents acting on our behalf, on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, marital status, responsibility for dependants, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender reassignment, social status, or political, cultural or religious beliefs;
• take practical action to eliminate discrimination, unfairness, inequality and disadvantage, while developing initiatives and interventions that promote and value diversity within the co-operative; and
• ensure committee members and others working on behalf of the co-operative understand their responsibilities towards equal opportunity and valuing diversity, and are equipped to take account of the different and particular needs of groups and individuals.

The co-operative expects agents and contractors working for it to recognise and manage diversity actively in the workplace.

Anti-social behaviour and harassment

Small Heath Park Housing recognises that anti-social behaviour, if left unchallenged, can have a significant negative impact on the lives of members and the wider community. The co-operative aims to respond to incidents in a timely and co-ordinated way and to take a proactive approach to prevention.

The co-operative recognises:

• that anti-social behaviour may affect members, people living with or visiting members, and people in neighbouring areas;
• the right of individuals to a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence until the facts of a complaint have been established;
• that everyone has the right to enjoy their own lifestyle only where it does not interfere with the rights and quality of life of other residents; and
• the need to treat members and residents fairly, consistently and equitably, including consideration of particular needs arising from disadvantage.

Small Heath Park Housing defines anti-social behaviour as conduct that can cause nuisance or annoyance to any person and that directly or indirectly relates to or affects the co-operative’s operations, including using or threatening to use the co-operative’s homes for an unlawful purpose.

Examples can include, but are not limited to:

• criminal behaviour;
• harassment, hate incidents and hate crime;
• graffiti and vandalism;
• damaging another person’s possessions or property;
• racial harassment and other hate-related behaviour;
• alcohol abuse and drunken behaviour;
• nuisance from pets and animals;
• excessive noise;
• dumping rubbish, fly-tipping and littering;
• misuse of communal areas;
• problems caused by vehicles;
• breaches of tenancy conditions;
• domestic disputes and domestic violence; and
• other activities that cause nuisance.

Racial harassment

Small Heath Park Housing aims to ensure that no member, resident, staff member or other person lives in fear of racial harassment or violence. We will not tolerate racial harassment or violence and will take steps to address it.

Racial harassment and abuse can take many forms, including:

• verbal or written racial abuse;
• abusive behaviour such as spitting, threats, theft, or offensive items left at a home;
• physical assault;
• incitement or the distribution of material intended to stir up racial hatred;
• damage to property, including racist graffiti, damage to vehicles or other possessions, and arson;
• threats to wellbeing or life;
• wearing racist badges or insignia; and
• circulating racist material, including through social media.

Domestic violence and abuse

Members, residents and staff working with us should not live in fear of domestic violence or abuse. We are committed to providing a sensitive response and to working with organisations with relevant expertise when someone asks for assistance.

Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or transgender status, social group, class, economic status, age, race, disability, religion or geographic location.

Alterations to your home

Members must formally ask the co-operative for permission, by letter or email, before making structural alterations or improvements to their homes.

Requests may need approval from the Management Committee at a scheduled committee meeting, so a decision may take some time.