Supporting our LGBTQ residents

No Place like Home

No Place Like Home is the largest and most comprehensive study ever undertaken to understand the concerns and preferences of LGBTQ social housing residents. Clarion spearheaded the research in association with the University of Surrey and Goldsmiths. We also part-funded the study along with five other housing associations – Genesis, Hanover, L&Q, Optivo and Riverside.

The study, which took place in 2017, engaged with over 300 LGBTQ social housing residents through interviews, focus groups and a survey.

It found that only 43% of survey respondents reported that they felt a sense of belonging to their local area. This figure compares starkly with the findings of the 2018 Clarion Index, where 82% said that they felt they belonged to their neighbourhood.

Concerns of LGBTQ residents

Trans individuals were least likely to express a sense of belonging to where they live (23%). Researchers also found that many LGBTQ participants were concerned about inviting people into their home who they didn’t know, with 21% being uncomfortable with repairs contractors and 25% feeling uneasy with their landlord entering their property.

A significant number reported changing their home to conceal their gender identity or sexuality, for example moving pictures, books or DVDs. This was more common amongst gay men, with 20% indicating that they did this ‘always’ or ‘most of the time’ when being visited by their landlord or a repairs person.

The recent Draft London Housing Strategy sets out an expectation for landlords to ensure that their services are LGBTQ inclusive.

The next phase of this project, which Clarion is co-sponsoring, will develop a series of sector ‘pledges’ to identify the practical steps that social landlords could take to achieve LGBT inclusivity.

Out and About LGBTQ Service Improvement Group (SIG)

The Out and About LGBTQ Service Improvement Group is a formal group of Clarion Housing Group Residents from the LGBTQ community.

These residents meet on a quarterly basis with a lead member of Clarion staff to look at how we can ensure that Clarion Housing association services are meeting the needs of our LGBTQ resident community.

The group works to an action plan to ensure that they are demonstrating that they are achieving outcomes and continually monitoring their priorities.

Get involved with the LGBTQ+ SIG.

Clarion Housing Association believes that people should be able to bring their whole selves to work. We have a thriving LGBTQ+ staff network for staff who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies. The staff network is supported from all levels of the company and works closely with the BAME and Ability networks.

For more information please contact the LGBTQ+ Staff network.

Clarion Housing is a Stonewall Diversity Champion member, demonstrating Clarion’s commitment to creating a workplace that is inclusive, equal and enables LGBTQ+ people to realise their full potential.

For more information please visit the Stonewall website.

Clarion is also a part of House Proud, the professional network for LGBTQ+ people working in the housing sector across the UK – providing support and advice in helping LGBT+ staff to fulfil their potential, as well as share the best practice for LGBT+ residents and service users.

For more information please visit the HouseProud website.