Housing associations fund sector-wide LGBT resident survey

The first sector-wide study to explore LGBT+ resident interactions with housing providers has been commissioned by HouseProud, the nationwide network for LGBT+ people working in social housing.

The study is being led by Dr Andrew King at Surrey University and funded by L&Q and five other housing associations: including Clarion, Genesis, Hanover, Optivo and Riverside.

It was prompted by concern for residents. According to Stonewall, almost one in five lesbian, gay and bisexual people expect to be treated worse than heterosexual people when applying for social housing.

Whilst social housing providers perform well in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, there is still a lot more that landlords can learn about the needs and aspirations of LGBT+ residents.

The study will explore LGBT+ resident interactions with housing providers across a range of issues, including whether residents modify their behaviours or hide their sexuality when visited by their housing officer or a repairs operative.

The findings will inform practical steps that social landlords could take to secure the wellbeing of LGBT+ residents, such as implementing a scheme similar to the Pink Passkey in the Netherlands, which awards certificates to care organisations and social service providers as evidence of LGBT+ friendliness.

The survey, which can be found here, closes 31 December 2017.

The research will be launched during LGBT History Month in February 2018 when the findings will be made available to the sector. The launch will be followed-up by a conference, which will look to translate the findings into policy and practice.