Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan: Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA): Results

Executive summary

In the recent Scottish Government Policy Prospectus^[1], published in April 2023, the First Minister commits to embedding equality, inclusion and human rights into all Scottish Government policy.

The publication of the Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan aims to meet these commitments and tackle housing inequality in remote, rural and island communities.

The Action Plan aims to meet our target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, 10% of which will be in remote, rural and island communities.

By increasing affordable housing provision in remote, rural and island communities, this will have a positive impact on local people who would otherwise struggle to meet their housing needs, whether due to age, disability, socio-economic background or other characteristics.

The affordable homes will be delivered meeting current building standards. This means that they will be energy efficient, reducing fuel poverty which is higher in rural and island areas than urban areas. Based on local authorities’ priorities in their Local Housing Strategies and Strategic Housing Investment Plans which considers local housing needs, more adaptable and future proofed homes will be delivered. This will increase the housing stock suitable for disabled and older people whose needs may otherwise not be met.