By Ken Owen, Honeycomb Group Involved Customer and CAG Vice Chair
On Thursday 19 March, I had the opportunity to attend the EDI in Housing Conference 2026 at Coram Campus, alongside Communications and Marketing Officer, Chloe.
I’ll be honest, I arrived thinking I probably wouldn’t learn anything new. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. By the end of the day, I felt not only informed, but genuinely inspired. The experience reinforced just how important equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is, now more than ever.
A powerful start: honest conversations
After registering and spending some time networking over tea and coffee, the conference began with interactive discussions exploring what EDI really means in practice.
What struck me immediately was the honesty in the room. Housing providers spoke openly about the realities they are facing, particularly in today’s uncertain political climate. There was a shared concern about growing division across society and a rise in hate crime, affecting both customers and staff. These weren’t distant issues, they are being felt directly in our communities.
Breaking barriers and challenging systems
One of the most impactful sessions came from Sufina Ahmad, who spoke about breaking down barriers and redesigning systems.
Her insights were a reminder that while today’s challenges feel intense, they are not new. Society has faced division before, and progress has always depended on action, intervention, and a willingness to change. As someone who spent years as a trade unionist advocating for people’s rights, this really resonated with me. Championing equality and inclusion isn’t something that can be optional, it has to be a priority.
The importance of communication and trust
A panel discussion on community cohesion focused on how difficult effective communication can be, something I found particularly interesting given my own background as a Communication Officer.
There was strong agreement that misinformation must be challenged. In a world where social media can amplify false narratives so quickly, clear and honest communication is more important than ever. Without it, trust breaks down and division grows.
Using data to drive fairness
Throughout the day, there was a strong focus on how data can support better outcomes in EDI. Discussions around a new data tool highlighted how collecting information from customers can help organisations better understand who they serve and ensure services are fair and inclusive.
What stood out to me was the idea that without understanding your starting point, it’s almost impossible to move forward in a meaningful way. The data tool, which has grown significantly since its early pilot, is helping to build a clearer picture of communities and their needs. While some people questioned why this data is necessary, the answer was simple and clear, it is about ensuring fairness.
Facing difficult truths
Some of the most powerful moments of the conference came from conversations about stigma and perception in social housing.
It was shared that a significant number of tenants feel stigmatised, and many feel that this stigma can even come from their own landlords. That is something we need to reflect on honestly. Before we can be part of the solution, we have to understand where we might be contributing to the problem.
There were also discussions about frustration within communities, particularly around access to housing. In difficult times, people often look for someone to blame, and currently that frustration is sometimes directed towards immigration and minority communities rather than the root causes of the issues. These are not easy conversations to have, but they are essential if we want to move forward.
Leadership and representation matter
Another clear message from the day was the importance of leadership and representation. Housing organisations need to ensure that their staff, leadership teams and boards truly reflect the communities they serve.
Building cohesive and resilient communities depends on listening to people, understanding their experiences, and making sure those voices are represented at every level of decision-making. This is how trust is built and how meaningful, lasting change can happen.
Regulation and the road ahead
The final sessions of the day explored EDI in relation to regulation, including insights from Kate Dodsworth on how standards have developed over time.
There was a sense that while progress is being made, there is still a long way to go. Ongoing financial pressures and wider societal challenges mean that organisations must continue to work hard to meet expectations and support their communities effectively.
Leaving inspired
By the end of the conference, I came away with far more than I expected. Not only had I learned new perspectives, but I also felt a renewed sense of purpose.
As a customer, and simply as a person, I feel more empowered to play a role in championing equality, diversity and inclusion. This is about people, their rights, and their place within our communities, and it is something that matters now more than ever.
Want to join the discussion?
By sharing your voice, you can help shape services and improve experiences for everyone. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Jayne.Tilolo@honeycombgroup.org.uk
01782 744533
www.honeycombgroup.org.uk/involvement
