Introduction needed (around 200-300 words about what this page is helping with and why it's important - not about individual resources, more about stigma problem, how sector can help)
Measuring what matters: A look into how to improve culture and stigma in housing
Entered into the Thinkhouse ECR Housing Prize in 2025, and awarded runner up, this policy paper written by Dr Eve Blezard draws on Housing Ombudsman spotlight reports, resident-led research, and academic work on epistemic injustice and territorial stigma. The paper was intended to support policymakers, practitioners, and parliamentarians working on housing governance, culture, and resident voice.
Following on from the original paper, a second paper moved the idea forward and was presented at the 2026 Housing Studies Association Conference, it also received a special commendation in the Valerie Karn Prize.
The paper explores how, as a sector, we can get better at measuring what matters most to residents, improve how we work with and listen to residents and then reflect that in our metrics and performance data. This would mean we'd become better at tracking track what impact we're having on reducing stigma and improving culture.
A short video has also been produced to summarise the topic which you can watch below.
Embed video
Further reading:
Tackling stigma in social housing
Short intro about stigma?
Resources:
- It's not OK: A guide to talking stigma in social housing (PDF)
- Six takeaways from CIH's post Grenfell Inquiry webinar on culture and engagement (blog)
- Formal launch of Stop Social Housing Stigma's Tackling Stigma Journey Planner at a parlimentary event (blog)
- ‘Nothing about us, without us’: Seven takeaways from the Listening to Diverse Tenant Voices webinar (blog)
- How to tackle stigma effectively in social housing (recording)
- Building Better Boards: Ethnic minority voices in tenant engagement - Webinar 17 June 9.30-11.00
- Training course: A holistic approach to understanding and improving resident experience.
Better Social Housing Review
The BSHR used stigma and discrimination as one of its ‘lens’ to review the current picture in UK social housing. It stated that: “the sector must do more to challenge and break down the stigma and discrimination still faced by people who live in social housing, both in society as a whole and within the social housing sector itself”.
The BSHR report has clear aims around equality, parity and fairness especially around discrimination and exclusion.
Further resources
