This LGBTQ+ History Month, we are proud to announce that we have signed up to the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge.
The accreditation, created by HouseProud and delivered in partnership with Stonewall Housing, is a sector-wide scheme that demonstrates commitment to equality, safety, and inclusion for LGBTQ+ residents and colleagues.
The initiative encourages organisations to reflect on their policies, practices, and culture to ensure that LGBTQ+ people feel respected, supported, and safe. Not only does this further support customers receiving our services, but our colleagues who deliver them too.
The pledge will see us provide increased support for colleagues, from training and resources to increased LGBTQ+ visibility and understanding such as pronoun badges and inclusive email signatures.
Honeycomb Group at Stoke Pride 2025
By signing the pledge, we're excited to join a growing network of housing providers working to improve experiences for LGBTQ+ people in social housing, as well as taking a big step forward in our ambitious five-year EDI strategy – creating a culture of belonging.
The strategy commits Honeycomb Group to ensuring that our customers, colleagues and partners can champion their authentic selves, feel accepted and valued, and experience services that are accessible, inclusive and shaped by informed data and meaningful engagement.
At Honeycomb Group, we already have a well-established staff EDI Forum that plays an active role in shaping an inclusive culture, driving forward a diverse programme of initiatives that spark conversation and learning. From celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility, to raising awareness around women’s health topics such as menopause, the Forum creates space for open, supportive dialogue.
Furthermore, our internal HG EDI Podcast has also become a platform for colleagues to share lived experiences and insights, helping to deepen understanding across the organisation. Beyond workplace activities, we're also a regular and enthusiastic presence at local Pride events, standing in solidarity with the local LGBTQ+ community.
Julie Guildford Smith, Honeycomb Group’s Chief Executive, explained more: “Signing the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is a real reflection of our EDI strategy in action. Our vision is to create a culture of belonging - and that belonging must be felt most strongly by the customers who rely on our services. By consulting with them throughout our EDI journey, we continue to strengthen how we listen, learn and design services around lived experience.
Julie Guildford Smith with Honeycomb's LGBTQ+ Network Lead, Dean Marsh
“One proud example for us is Phoenix Housing and Support Hub. When we recognised that LGBTQ+ people were being disproportionately affected by homelessness, we worked with our homelessness specialist, Concrete, to develop dedicated accommodation and support tailored to their needs.
“The success of Phoenix has shown just how vital safe, affirming spaces are. The pledge is the next natural step, giving us a clear framework to build on this work, challenge ourselves further and ensure LGBTQ+ customers consistently receive safe, inclusive and high-quality services - while also helping us build an inclusive, confident workforce that truly reflects our culture of belonging.”
Stonewall Housing, which has more than 40 years’ experience supporting LGBTQ+ people to access safe housing, became the delivery partner for the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge in 2022. Since then, the pledge has continued to grow. By signing up, Honeycomb Group will work towards the pledge requirements, engage with LGBTQ+ residents and staff, and continue to develop inclusive practices across our services.
