Melin Homes and House Proud

In signing the HouseProud pledge, we will be taking proactive steps to create communities where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can feel safe, respected and valued.

The HouseProud pledge scheme is aimed at promoting equality and enhancing the quality of life for LGBTQ+ residents in social housing. Developed in partnership with LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall and the University of Surrey, this scheme was launched as a result of the findings from the "No Place Like Home?" study, the most extensive research ever conducted on the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in social housing. The research showed a pressing need for housing providers to actively engage with LGBTQ+ residents and address the unique challenges they face.

The scheme offers two levels of accreditation: ‘Pledge Pioneer’ and ‘Pledge Plus’. The Pledge Pioneer level requires housing providers to meet three core commitments:

Resident engagement at the executive level

We will work to ensure that LGBTQ+ residents are able to share their concerns with Melin’s leadership, enabling them to influence decisions that affect their lives. This includes a focus on LGBTQ+ issues within the framework of our existing residents group, Melin Voices.

Increasing LGBTQ+ visibility

We will proudly display the HouseProud Pledge logo on our website and ensure that our commitment to LGBTQ+ equality is prominently featured in our communications, including our annual report and social media channels. This visibility is crucial in sending a clear message that Melin is a safe and welcoming place for all.

Staff training on LGBTQ+ issues

We are committed to educating our staff about the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. This will include specialised training sessions delivered by expert organisations such as Stonewall, as well as integrating LGBTQ+ issues into our broader diversity and inclusion training programmes.