Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan: Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA)

CRWIA Stage 2 – Assessment of Impact and Compatibility

Disclaimer: This impact assessment should be read in conjunction with the Equality Impact Assessment and the Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment.

1. What evidence have you used to inform your assessment? What does it tell you about the impact on children’s rights? (Guidance Section 2.2)

There was extensive engagement undertaken with remote, rural and island communities to inform both the development of Housing to 2040, Scotland’s long term housing strategy which was published in March 2021, as well as the National Islands Plan, providing a strong policy platform to support further implementation activities. Ministers have agreed that a full public consultation on the Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan (the Action Plan) is not required and therefore we do not intend to formally consult on the plan but instead have undertaken specific targeted engagement to support its development.

An informal series of engagements has been carried out with stakeholders across remote, rural and island areas. Discussions have also taken place with relevant internal SG colleagues whose work intersects.

Our engagement involved a series of Microsoft Teams meetings with key stakeholders including local authorities, registered social landlords, SG agencies, tenant groups, and organisations including Rural Youth Project and the Young Islanders Network, amongst others.

2. Evidence from stakeholders/Policy Colleagues (Guidance Section 2.2)

The aim of the policy is to support the delivery of affordable housing in remote, rural and island areas of Scotland. Whilst children and young people may benefit from the increased provision of affordable homes they are not materially involved in the process of delivering these homes which is what the Action Plan is most likely to focus on.

Through the informal engagement we connected with youth groups to hear specific issues raised including Rural Youth Project and the Young Islanders Network.

3. Evidence from children and young people (Guidance Section 2.2)

Through the informal engagement we connected with youth groups mentioned above to hear specific issues raised. No evidence was gathered from children.

Through our engagement, expense was the biggest barrier for young people accessing housing. Lack of affordable housing in rural communities, particularly islands, leads to young people leaving the community. The unique and diverse nature of rural and island housing markets require local solutions.