HouseProud Podcast #1
'100 Days of a New Government - what is the impact for Housing and Diversity?'
We’re still on a bit of a high after our HouseProud Breakfast Briefing - 100 Days of a New Government - what is the impact for Housing and Diversity? It also helped that we were on after budget day, so that our speakers could reflect with their immediate thoughts. Here are the takeaways from each of our speakers.
The whole event was recorded for a podcast by our generous hosts Trowers and watch this space for when that will be made available. Jennifer Arczinsky reiterated Trowers and Hamlins dedication to supporting a diverse range of organisations
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Clare Norton of Peter Bedford gave us an insightful speech about their journey of 27 years attending Pride and incorporating LGBTQ+ awareness with their residents and colleagues. Clare shared how this awareness-building work has been carried out as part of their Tenant Participation Ladder. Sometimes some of the simplest ideas can be the most effective, and we were left with the challenge to make sure that colleagues’ pronouns were on their identity badges!
Bethan Buck, from the National Federation of Housing outlined the small wins we have seen in the budget. She also noted that for every new social home built in the past 12 months, 6 families present as homeless. Bethan called on delegates to support the NHF in their campaign to achieve a 10-year rent settlement with the government, in next year’s Government Housing Strategy.
She also encouraged us to ensure that ED&I is explicitly referenced in the strategy, or it may be that the sector ends up being ‘regulated’ on delivering to this agenda.
Chris Struthers, Planning Expert who works cross-sector, gave his presentation on the National Planning Policy Framework, which the new government introduced within their first month of the election. Chris drafted the G15 response to this earlier in the year. Despite the target of building 1.5 million new homes by the end of the parliament. Chris remained sceptical as only three times since the way has the required 370,000 homes been completed in a year.
What was especially unique about Chris’s presentation was that he talked about how planners can enhance inclusivity through planning with some examples of this across London, with reference to LGBTQ+ spaces that have been saved.
Barry Boffy shared thoughts on the government’s approach to diversity and how housing providers can improve.
Barry said that in no uncertain terms that, in relation to Bethan's point, the sector does not want to be regulated for ED&I, as the spectre of box-ticking looms large. He also warned that the HouseProud Pledge should not fall prey to this approach, and remain live and fresh.
One of Barry’s strongest takeaways was to ensure that our ED&I message appeals to everybody – especially the majority of the organisation who may not see ED&I work as ‘their job’ as Inclusivity never excludes. This might mean making sure everybody feels that they can be and are actually heard.
Barry told us to ensure that we should check that all we do feeds into the ultimate goal of achieving cohesion, dignity and respect.
14 Housing Organisations Awarded LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer Status for LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
14 housing organisations have been awarded the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer status, which marks a huge milestone for LGBTQ+ housing. This award celebrates each organisation’s dedication to creating safe and welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ residents and sets a benchmark for others in the sector to follow.
The 14 housing organisations recognised:
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Anchor
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Gloucester City Homes
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London Borough of Islington
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Notting Hill Genesis
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Orbit
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Orwell Homes
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Peter Bedford
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Places for People
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QVT
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Riverside
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Royal Borough of Greenwich
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SJMT
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SNG
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Soho Housing
Achieving LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer Status is a testament to these organisations’ commitment to fostering inclusivity, and addressing the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in social housing. These challenges often include feeling unsafe in their homes or communities and the fear of being “outed” during home visits.
“We are committed to promoting equality and tackling instances of discrimination everywhere in our borough. We would like to thank House Proud and Stonewall Housing for recognising our work here in Greenwich to implement a programme of training for staff to improve awareness and interactions with LGBTQ+ residents as well as our work to increase LGBTQ+ visibility and input across the Council.”
Spokesperson, Royal Borough of Greenwich
“We are delighted to be awarded Pledge Pioneer status. We take pride in knowing that social housing residents assessed our submission alongside Pledge Advisory Board members, and recognised our commitment to the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge. We look forward to continuing our work to make our homes better for LGBTQ+ residents in later life.”
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Sarah Jones, CEO Anchor Hanover
“We’re very proud to have been named an LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer. Everyone deserves a safe, decent and genuinely affordable place to call home and making sure LGBTQ+ residents can access good-quality housing and enjoy their homes with pride, and without discrimination, is a key part of our mission to create a more equal Islington.”
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Councillor Una O’Halloran, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods
“Providing an inclusive Community where everyone is welcome, everyone is important, and everyone can thrive is part of who we are at Places for People. We want our LGBTQ+ Customers to know that we are serious about ensuring the services we provide meet their needs. Signing up the HouseProud Pledge was part of us demonstrating that commitment and we are so delighted to have achieved Pioneer status. We know we can still do better, but by being part of the HouseProud network we are already learning so much and implementing changes for the benefit of our Customers and Communities."
Lindsey Daniels, Director of Transformation
The LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge scheme, by HouseProud and delivered by Stonewall Housing, provides a comprehensive framework for social landlords to demonstrate their commitment to creating inclusive and safe environments for LGBTQ+ residents. By adhering to this pledge, organisations show their dedication to eliminating discrimination and supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in their communities. To achieve Pledge Pioneer, these organisations have been required to show how they are listening to their LGBTQ+ residents at an executive or strategic level, increasing LGBTQ+ visibility and investing in staff training.A key aspect of the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Scheme is the direct involvement of LGBTQ+ residents in its development.
Notably, LGBTQ+ residents comprised 3 out of the 8 members on the assessment panel, ensuring that their voices and experiences were central to the process. This involvement ensures that the pledge addresses the real and pressing needs of the LGBTQ+ community.“Previous research has shown us that many LGBTQ+ people don’t feel safe even in their own homes or communities.
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These 14 organisations have worked hard to achieve the Pledge Pioneer requirements. It is a massive achievement that sends a clear signal: we all deserve a safe space to call home. These housing providers are helping to make this a reality.”
Alexandra Duffy, Stonewall Housing Training Lead
We urge other housing organisations to join the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Scheme and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive housing sector. By signing up, organisations can help extend this vital initiative and support LGBTQ+ residents across the country.
