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A new HouseProud Pledge scheme aims to ensure Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer residents are able to enjoy their homes without fear of discrimination is being launched by HouseProud and the University of Surrey.

The launch today (May 17) coincides with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

HouseProud – the professional network for LGBTQ+ people working in the housing sector – commissioned the University of Surrey to research LGBTQ+ experiences of social housing.

The study No Place Like Home found that despite more than 10 years of equality in legislation, LGBTQ+ residents continue to experience discrimination in their everyday lives, including in relation to housing in some cases.

By engaging professionals working in the social housing sector to communicate more effectively with LGBTQ+ residents, sharing experiences and building trust, the HouseProud Pledge aims to make significant improvements for the LGBTQ+ community.

HouseProud will work with the University of Surrey to promote the Pledge scheme and monitor its progress in order to ensure the framework is robust.

Professor Andrew King, from the University of Surrey Department of Sociology and HouseProud have developed the HouseProud Pledge scheme in association with residents, staff members and sector leaders from across the country to empower social housing providers to improve services for LGBTQ+ residents and ensure consistent promotion of inclusivity.

The Pledge scheme promotes new frameworks for offering support and creating inclusivity, and all social housing providers can join free of charge.

Those who sign up are actively committing to improve their housing services for LGBTQ+ residents and are expected to deliver on three core commitments within their first year:

  • Ensure that LGBTQ+ residents can have an input at an executive/strategic level
  • Increase LGBTQ+ visibility through the use of the Pledge symbol
  • Initiate a programme of staff training to improve understanding of LGBTQ+ lives

Professor King said: “Home should be somewhere we can freely express our sexual orientation and gender identity without fear of prejudice or reprisal.

“But our study found that nearly 50% of LGBTQ+ participants do not feel a sense of belonging in their local community and many regularly moderate their home if being visited by a landlord or repairs person, to conceal their gender identity or sexuality, hiding pictures, books or DVDs.

“The HouseProud Pledge tackles this lack of resident trust by providing a framework for landlords to use that encourages dialogue and demonstrates commitment to act to resolve issues and to be more responsive to the specific concerns of LGBTQ+ residents.”

Co-Chairs of HouseProud Kevan Forde and Cressida Stanley-Williams said: “HouseProud is delighted to be helping to lead this project that will improve housing services and make a real impact on our LGBTQ+ residents.”

London Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development James Murray said social housing landlords had a key role to play in promoting equality for LGBTQ+ residents and staff.

“We are very pleased to support the HouseProud Pledge scheme and we would encourage all social housing landlords in London to sign up,” he said.

L&Q CEO David Montague said: “Real change can only be achieved together.

“On behalf of L&Q’s LGBTQ+ staff and residents, I invite all our housing sector colleagues to join this important cause.

WWe are committed to ensuring all our people can enjoy a diverse and inclusive environment to live and work in.

“To feel at home is to be yourself and no-one understands that better than HouseProud.”

Clare Miller, Group Chief Executive of HouseProud founder member Clarion, said: “At Clarion, we want to lead by example in ensuring that every LGBTQ+ resident feels at home in a Clarion home.

“We look forward to working with residents, allies and partners across the sector to raise awareness of the Pledge and make sure all LGBTQ+ residents in social housing have the support they need.”

By engaging professionals working in the social housing sector to communicate more effectively with LGBTQ+ residents, sharing experiences and building trust, the HouseProud Pledge aims to make significant improvements for the LGBTQ+ community.

HouseProud and the University of Surrey will now promote the Pledge scheme and monitor its progress in order to ensure the framework is robust.