At Yorkshire Housing, we believe everyone should feel safe, valued, and supported at home and work. That’s why we’re proud to announce our commitment to the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge – a scheme dedicated to improving equality and inclusion for LGBTQ+ customers and colleagues across the housing sector.
February marks LGBTQ+ History Month, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and it feels like the perfect time to share how we’re taking meaningful steps to make sure our services are inclusive for everyone.
The LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is a national scheme that helps social housing providers make improvements for LGBTQ+ customers by working closely with customers and colleagues. For us at Yorkshire Housing, this isn’t just about ticking a box, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and respected.
To help us achieve this, we’re building on the brilliant work of our “Reyt Proud” colleague network, a safe and welcoming space where colleagues can connect, socialise, and support one another, all while driving meaningful change for the LGBTQIA+ community at Yorkshire Housing.
We’ve also created a dedicated customer group to give our LGBTQ+ customers a safe place to talk to us. Their feedback and voice will play a key role in shaping more inclusive services that meet everyone’s needs.
As we work towards the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge accreditation, we’ll be sharing updates along the way. This is a step forward in making sure that equality, diversity, and inclusion aren’t just values we talk about, they’re values we live by.
Munir Majid, our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, said:
“We recognise the challenges the LGBTQ+ community face, yet their voice is underrepresented in our Customer Voice, and we’re committed to changing this.
“To truly understand and support our LGBTQ+ customers, we need to listen to their lived experiences. This pledge is a key part of our Diversity and Inclusion strategy, ensuring we engage meaningfully with diverse communities across Yorkshire. By doing so, we can build more inclusive services that benefit everyone.”
Our Chief Executive, Nick Atkin, added:
"We’re going for the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge accreditation this year to show our dedication to equality for LGBTQ+ customers and colleagues. #BeYourself is one of our core values, but we know that not everyone, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, can always be themselves at home and work. This pledge is a genuine commitment to make things better.”
What is the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge?
The LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is designed to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ customers in social housing. It focuses on listening to customers and colleagues, training staff, and creating a culture of equality and respect. By signing the pledge, we’re committing to measurable actions that deliver real change.
We’re really proud to take this step as part of our wider mission to create inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. As we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we want to recognise the challenges many still face and do our part to make a positive difference.