Ealing Council has signed up to the national HouseProud Pledge scheme, which aims to help LGBTQ+ residents feel able to 'enjoy their homes without fear of discrimination'.

The HouseProud pledge scheme was developed in 2019 in response to the University of Surrey's 'No place like home' study, which explored the experiences, concerns, and preferences of LGBTQ+ social housing residents. 

It calls upon housing providers to engage with residents and shape their policies and practices to promote inclusivity.

Signing up to the pledges means the council has committed to:

• ensuring that LGBTQ+ residents can have an input at executive and strategic levels
• increasing LGBTQ+ visibility across the council's housing service
• providing a programme of staff training that will improve understanding of LGBTQ+ lives. 

Over the coming months, the council says it will work towards attaining full HouseProud Pledge Pioneer accreditation.

In a year's time, the council will need to show evidence that these measures have been applied successfully, to achieve this accreditation.

Council leader Peter Mason said: "The HouseProud pledge has an important role to play in helping us to cultivate estates where all our LGBTQ+ residents can live in communities filled with pride and identity.

"By embracing the pledge, we are working to make housing inclusive for every member of our thriving and diverse communities."

Ealing Council is encouraging residents to share their experiences, and is particularly keen to hear from LGBTQ+ residents who are willing to work together with the council on delivering the commitment.

For more information or to register your interest in getting involved, email Jon Maxwell on [email protected].

To find out more about the HouseProud Pledge, click here.

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