We’re proud to announce that we’ve achieved LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer status, recognising our commitment to creating safe, inclusive and affirming services for LGBTQ+ customers and colleagues.
Created by HouseProud and delivered by Stonewall Housing, the Pledge is a sector-wide initiative that helps housing organisations demonstrate their commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ residents and creating inclusive communities where everyone feels respected, represented and able to be themselves.
The accreditation marks a significant milestone in our ongoing equality, diversity and inclusion journey, following our commitment to the pledge earlier this year.
Achieving Pioneer status demonstrates the progress we’ve made in embedding inclusion across our services and workplaces, while continuing to build on the ambitions set out in our five-year EDI strategy.
Since signing the pledge, we’ve continued to strengthen support for LGBTQ+ colleagues and customers through awareness raising, visibility initiatives, engagement opportunities and inclusive practices designed to foster a genuine culture of belonging.
The accreditation also reflects our commitment to listening to the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ people and using that insight to shape services that are accessible, responsive and affirming.
Julie Guildford Smith, Chief Executive of Honeycomb Group, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have achieved LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer status. Inclusion is not something we see as a one-off initiative. It’s an ongoing commitment that sits at the heart of our culture and the services we deliver.
“This recognition reflects the passion and dedication of colleagues across Honeycomb Group who work hard to create environments where people can be themselves, feel valued and access support without fear of judgement. While we’re proud of the progress we’ve made, we’re equally committed to continuing our learning and building on this achievement.”
Our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion is already reflected across a range of initiatives, including our active EDI Forum, colleague-led awareness campaigns, participation in local Pride events and specialist services such as Phoenix Housing and Support Hub, which was developed in response to the disproportionate impact of homelessness on LGBTQ+ communities.
As part of our continued involvement in the pledge, representatives from Honeycomb Group attended the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Celebration Event in London over the weekend, joining housing providers from across the country to share learning, celebrate progress and explore opportunities to further improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ people.
And for us, achieving Pioneer status is not the end of the journey, but another important step towards creating services and workplaces where everyone feels they belong.
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