Background of the HouseProud Pledge – where it all began
HouseProud was set up in 2014 as a network for LGBTQ+ people working in social housing. HouseProud is comprised of numerous organisations, including housing associations, ALMOs, local authorities and care providers. The key aims are to provide networking opportunities for LGBTQ+ staff members and to campaign on / for LGBTQ+ related issues.
In 2017 HouseProud commissioned the University of Surrey to undertake research on the experiences of LGBTQ+ social housing residents and published the report No Place Like Home? in February 2018. The Pledge Scheme was developed in response to the report.
The HouseProud Pledge was developed by HouseProud and the University of Surrey in association with residents, staff members and sector leaders from across the country and was launched in May 2019 with endorsement by the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, London.
It addresses the issues raised by the findings of the No Place Like Home? report and is a scheme that all social housing providers can sign up to, to demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ resident equality and support.