Plans, policies and strategies
Hackney’s community strategy 2018 to 2028
Our sustainable community strategy 2018 to 2028 sets out our collective vision for the borough and the kind of future we would like to see for our communities and it lays out the steps we are going to take to achieve this. In 2013 we produced a ‘State of the Borough’ report, outlining progress against each of the objectives in the sustainable community strategy.
In 2017 and early 2018 there was a public consultation on the new sustainable community strategy to 2028. The final strategy, with revised objectives, was agreed by Cabinet in 2018.
Strategic Plan
We have adopted a strategic plan – working together for a better Hackney for 2022 to 2026 . The plan sets out the ambitions for us for the next four years. It also sets out the challenges we face, and describes how we need to respond and change, working closely with residents and partners.
Equality Plan 2024 to 2026
Full council approved the Equality Plan 2024 to 2026 (google doc) in February 2024.
The Equality Plan objectives are:
Working with communities:
1. Eradicate inequality at every life stage by taking protective, preventative positive action
2. Building opportunity and well-being
3. Celebrate and serve diverse communities and value the contribution they make
Underpinning organisational objectives:
4. Embed equality into service plans and practice across the council and the borough
5. Change as an institution to ensure internal and systemic change
We based the Equality Plan 2024 to 2026 on:
- our shared evidence base
- report on the public consultation (google doc)
- key equalities data (google doc)
- further work is to be undertaken to develop a full equality needs analysis
Anti-racism framework
The anti-racism framework (google doc) was formally adopted in February 2024, building on work carried out since 2015.
We made the anti-racism framework as part of the wider Equality Plan. It has helped us develop the broader set of equality objectives. The plan has clear accountability and governance. But, by placing the work within a wider assessment of needs and priorities, we are very clear about the urgent need to be anti-racist. It also helps us to take an intersectional approach. We must consider how racism and racial inequality intersect with other discrimination and disadvantage that our residents may face.
The five objectives are:
- identify and eradicate racial inequality at every life stage by taking protective, preventative and positive action (as well as an equitable approach)
- build opportunity and wellbeing; ensuring a focus on racial equity
- celebrate and serve diverse communities and value the contribution they make
- embed anti-racism into service plans and practice across the council and the borough
- change as an institution – leadership and management culture, diversity of leadership; to ensure internal and systemic change
For more information on our anti-racism journey and commitments, visit Our commitment to anti-racism.
LGBTQIA+ framework
The LGBTQIA+ framework (google doc) was formally adopted in February 2024. This follows a commitment made in the Single Equality Scheme 2018 to 2022. We’ve replaced the Single Equality Scheme 2018 to 2022 with the Equality Plan 2024 to 2026.
We designed the framework is to be iterative, collaborative and flexible. The framework does not provide a list of recommendations for directorates to act on. Instead, it outlines the council’s shared goals and urges services to consider what they can do to achieve those aims.
Our six aspirations are to:
- ensure LGBTQIA+ people are able to access services that meet their needs where they are listened to, understood, and taken seriously without judgement
- recognise and celebrate the diversity of our LGBTQIA+ communities, paying attention to those who are often least heard and represented
- improve our knowledge of our LGBTQIA+ communities through responsible data collection and use this information when planning services
- be visible allies, open to learning and reflection, working in coalition with residents and organisations to promote LGBTQIA+ rights
- empower LGBTQIA+ people in Hackney to be able to influence the council on matters and policy that affect their communities
- be a place where LGBTQIA+ people feel free and safe to express themselves with opportunities to connect with others
Inclusive economy strategy
The Inclusive economy strategy: Responds to the growing recognition that economic growth, left to its own devices, clearly does not work for everyone and sets out how the Council, working with partners will seek to shape a more inclusive economy in Hackney.
Homelessness strategies and policies
We’re doing all we can to reduce homelessness.
- our homelessness and rough sleeping strategy (PDF 4.4mb) outlines Hackney’s aim to prevent and relieve homelessness
- our temporary accommodation strategy (PDF 559kb) outlines how we manage our temporary accommodation service and how we assist people living in temporary accommodation to move on
- our placement procedure (google docs) explains our processes regarding the placement of people into temporary accommodation and privately rented homes
- our procedure for serving notice of deliberate and unreasonable refusal in cases of non-cooperation (google doc) explains our approach to helping homeless households that don’t take the steps we ask of them in their personal housing plan
- our procedure for supporting people who are rough sleeping during periods of extreme hot weather (google doc) explains how we support people who are rough sleeping during heat waves
- our procedure for supporting people who are rough sleeping over the winter months (google doc) explains how we support people who are rough sleeping during cold weather
Poverty reduction framework
This strategic framework sets out the Council’s approach to poverty reduction and how we aim to do this.
This is the first time in recent years that Hackney has developed a poverty reduction strategic framework for residents of all ages and builds upon previous work focussed on child poverty.
The framework was designed based on the best available evidence of what works and on a detailed review of needs which will be published alongside the framework.
Donations Policy
See Donations Policy 2023 to 2025 (google doc).