Housing

A home is a place to relax; it's our own, private space, and a shelter from harm. For LGBT people who may already be facing discrimination and harassment in their lives, their home can often be even more important as a safe space.

If you're having problems with your housing, if you're facing homophobia or transphobia from your neighbours or even your landlord, contact Shelter Scotland for housing advice on 0808 800 4444, or visit their website.

The LGBT Housing Project

The fact that many LGBT tenants frace homophobia and transphobia and are sometimes subect to second class services is simply unacceptable. The LGBT housing project is a collaboration lead by the LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing and involving the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Stonewall Scotland aimed at improving the situation.

Key to the project has been its community focus, and we would like to say a big thank you to everyone who kindly offered insight, knowledge and experience in the consultation process and focus groups. These contributions have been invaluable to the information and training provided by the project.

What does this mean to you?

From the input by Scottish LGBT people, five clear standards for housing providers were developed:

• Showing leadership on LGBT issues
• Tackling discrimination against LGBT employees
• LGT housing applicants welcomed
• Services take account of LGBT people's needs and concerns
• Associations talk to LGBT people and groups

With training and advice provided, a number of the pilot Housing Associations are now working to meet these standards. So what should you expect from your housing provider?

• Zero tolerance of homophobia and transphobia, including violence, abusive language, graffiti and other abuse, from staff contractors and tenants
• Service providers take the needs of LGBT tenants, potential applicants and staff seriously and are prepared to listen and learn
• Allocation policies that take into account LGBT housing needs and issues
• A service that actively welcomes LGBT applications

If you would like to find out more, or if you think your housing association or council could learn a thing or two, download a copy of our report "Safe and Secure".

For more information on the LGBT Housing Project, go to the LGBT Health & Wellbeing Centre's website by clicking here.