As well as everyone deserving a safe, affordable place to call home they also deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in accessing and receiving housing services.
In the sector we have a responsibility to tenants, employees and customers that goes beyond bricks and mortar. A need to shape communities, support vulnerable residents, and play a vital role in people's lives during their most challenging moments. To do this well, we must reflect the communities we work with.
The CIH EDI pledge unties housing providers and partners committed to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion across everything they do. Whether its ensuring services are accessible to all, creating inclusive environments, or tackling racial inequality, we recognise that progress requires sustained action. We also know that that action will differ depending on each organisation – no activity is one size fits all.
Read the pledge and make your commitment alongside these other organisations.
The pledge
The CIH EDI pledge has been designed for housing providers to improve business performance through EDI. Working to promote social cohesion, improving access to resources, and better reflecting the needs of your tenants and communities come together to deliver better housing outcomes for everyone.
By signing the pledge housing organisations can demonstrate this through four specific actions.
- Diversify: Take action to increase diversity in the workplace, including on boards and committees.
- Upskill: Ensure that professional development for staff is person specific, reflects individual skills and talents and includes a focus on EDI and marginalised groups.
- Engage: Commit to regular engagement with schools, colleges and other relevant groups and organisations about the value and impact of diversity in the workplace.
- Champion: Appoint an officer at a senior level to champion and sponsor an EDI workstream.
One size doesn't fit all
As we know there's not a singular correct way to do things for a fairer sector, we've provided a starting point of ideas in our pledge toolkit to help, and alongside this, each quarter we'll focus on a new topic with extra resources and campaign materials, which we'll add here as they are produced.
If you have an idea or would like to suggest a story or some resources please contact us by emailing marketing.communications@cih.org.
- Social post link
- Board member blog
- Case study
- Webinar recording link
What next?
Our EDI board and colleague-led EDI group will be sharing ongoing resources and updates throughout the year on various initiatives, good practice and articles to keep ideas and activity moving as we know one-size doesn't fit all.
Make sure you are following us on LinkedIn, are a member receiving our email newsletters, and keep checking back on this page for all the latest updates.
- Chartered Institute of Housing
