Eastlight signs LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge

03/06/2026

Find out how we’re supporting our LGBTQIA+ communities and strengthening inclusion across our homes and neighbourhoods.

Logo of LGBTQ+ Housing Pioneer+ featuring a house with rainbow colours and text stating, "We are going further alongside our LGBTQ+ residents.

June is Pride Month – a time to recognise the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, celebrate progress and reflect on where more still needs to be done.

What better time, then, to share an important step forward in our inclusion journey. We’re proud to confirm that Eastlight has now signed up to the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge, created by HouseProud and delivered in partnership with Stonewall Housing.

What is the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge?

The LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is a sector-wide commitment to improving the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people living in social housing. It was developed in response to research highlighting that many individuals still do not feel safe or able to be themselves in their own homes.

By making the ‘Pledge Promise’, we are demonstrating our commitment to strengthening equality, visibility and support for LGBTQIA+ residents across our homes and communities.

The Pledge provides a practical framework to help housing providers take meaningful action – from amplifying residents’ voices, to improving services and building awareness and understanding across the organisation.

Why this step matters for our residents and communities

A home should be somewhere people feel comfortable, respected and free to be themselves. For some LGBTQIA+ residents, that is not always the case.

Research across the sector shows that people can still experience discrimination, feel unsafe in their neighbourhood or worry about being open about who they are at home.

Signing the Pledge strengthens our commitment to addressing these challenges. It builds on the progress we’ve already made through EastPride, our LGBTQIA+ staff and resident network, and our wider work on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Andrew Allocca, Eastlight Head of Development and HouseProud Board member, said:

"Signing the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is an important step forward for Eastlight. It builds on the work we’ve already started through EastPride and our wider commitment to inclusion. The Pledge gives us a clear framework to keep listening, learning and improving, so our residents feel safe, supported and able to be themselves in their homes and communities."

What this means for Eastlight

By signing up to the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge at ‘Pledge Promise’ level, we are formally committing to:

  • Listening and acting – ensuring LGBTQIA+ residents have a voice at a strategic level
  • Increasing visibility – making our commitment visible across our communications and communities
  • Building understanding – continuing to strengthen training and awareness for our teams

Over the coming months, we’ll be working across our services to build on our existing foundations and develop a clear plan to meet the Pledge requirements. This is a shared effort, and we’re committed to working with residents and partners to create inclusive homes and communities.

Join us this Pride season!

This summer, you’ll find EastPride and My Eastlight Team at a range of Pride events across our communities – a great opportunity to show support, connect and be part of local celebrations.

  • Saturday, 20 June: Essex Pride, Chelmsford
  • Thursday, 30 July (6pm to 8pm): Pride banner-making workshop at the Dragonfly Bar in Colchester, in partnership with Colchester Borough Homes
  • Saturday, 15 August: Colchester Pride
  • Saturday, 22 August: Braintree Pride – we’re proud to be the main sponsor this year and look forward to welcoming residents and the wider community to this local celebration.

These events are an important part of how we bring our commitment to the Housing Pledge to life – building visibility, strengthening relationships and creating opportunities to listen, learn and better support our LGBTQIA+ residents and communities. If you can join us at one or more of the Pride events this summer, we’d love to welcome you there!

For queries related to our efforts supporting LGBTQIA+ residents and communities, please contact: eastpride@eastlighthomes.co.uk 

You can also read more about the HouseProud Pledge here.