Lambeth is the first local authority to have been awarded the Stonewall Housing Inclusion Standard. This comes a year after we took the HouseProud Pledge to make our service more LGBTQ+ inclusive. This award recognises all the good work the Housing Department has done to ensure its services are LGBTQ+ inclusive.
What is Stonewall Housing
Stonewall Housing is an independent charity that supports thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) people in the UK every year. Their services are free and confidential, and they can provide support to those who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in an unsafe home.
What has Lambeth been awarded?
Lambeth has been awarded the Stonewall Housing Inclusion Standard. Organisations can be awarded the Inclusion Standard if they have demonstrated a commitment to LGBTQ+ customers and inclusive practice.
To achieve the award, Lambeth did the following:
- Reviewed our policies, procedures and service offers to ensure LGBTQ+ friendly practices are implemented.
- Ensured all of our frontline officers have undergone specific training to be aware of LGBTQ+ history, current challenges and how to be an ally.
- Allowed Stonewall Housing to complete a widespread assessment of the Housing Department to ensure our practices are inclusive.
Going through the assessment and accreditation process has given our staff an opportunity to think about both their approach to our LGBTQ+ customers and other members of staff in our organisation.
Certificate of Completion 2022/23
As the first local authority to receive the award, we are proud of our achievement and hope other housing providers will follow our example and make their own practices more LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Jacqui Dyer, the Cabinet Member for Equalities, said: “I am thrilled Lambeth’s Housing Services have been recognised for their work to ensure all practices are LGBTQ+ inclusive. Lambeth is committed to identifying and breaking down barriers as everyone deserves to feel safe in their home”.
The CEO of Stonewall Housing, Steven McIntyre said: “I am delighted that Lambeth Council have become the first local authority to be awarded the Stonewall Housing LGBTQ+ Housing Inclusion Standard. It’s wonderful to see Lambeth’s commitment to ensuring all of their LGBTQ+ customers will get a service that is tailored to their needs.”
