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Welcome to Stonewall Housing...Securing safer spaces for the LGBT communities We research and lobby at a strategic level on the housing issues affecting our communities. We are the only specialist housing support provider in England wholly dedicated to serving the LGBT communities. At the heart of our work is the aim to help LGBT people find a home they feel safe and secure in.
Stonewall Housing News CHANGES TO DROP IN TIMES AND LOCATIONS - Please note that the times and locations of our Drop In Surgeries have been changed. They are now Monday - 1400-1530, Contemporary Urban Centre, 13a Great Chapel Street, London, W1F 8FL Wednesday - Our Wednesday Drop In surgeries have now resumed following refurbishment of the premises. These are held at Origin Housing, St Richards House, 110 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1BS, from 1400-1530. Thursday - 1400-1530, Lighthouse South london, 14-15 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London, SE1 7RJ All services are free and confidential and all venues are accessible for people with disabilities. No appointments necessary. (pre-arranged appointments can be made for between 1530 and 1700) COALITION GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS: Stonewall Housing warns that the proposals to change benefits and social housing may mean that LGBT people may not be able to afford safe accommodation. The Coalition Government's proposed changes to housing benefit and Local Housing Allowance, along with increases in costs of social housing and time limits on certain welfare benefits may mean that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who need to move urgently because they are experiencing domestic abuse or homophobic or transphobic harassment will have to consider whether they can afford to move. Some will remain in dangerous situations and some may have to move further away from their support networks. In essence, LGBT people may not be able to afford safety! This is deeply worrying and the government needs to ensure all the proposals have undergone comprehensive Equality Impact Assessments to ensure the proposals do not negatively impact on an already vulnerable group. Stonewall Housing believes there should be more affordable and secure housing or more people will become homeless or be subjected to domestic abuse or harassment. STONEWALL HOUSING SERVICES UNDER THREAT: Stonewall Housing’s supported accommodation for homeless young people celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2011 and its advice service celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2011. Demand for both services is increasing, not falling, and we anticipate that demand will continue to rise given the current financial situation. However, the cuts at local government level and proposed changes to the London Councils Grants Scheme means that all services are under threat. The Government is promoting its Big Society to encourage individuals and charities to improve their communities. However, the charities currently trying to meet their needs are under threat of closure following the announcement of public spending cuts in the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Government needs to invest more in the voluntary sector especially during this time of cuts when more people are likely to become homeless, all while the Government is working to stop rough sleeping by 2012. Please join the campaign that is being run with a number of other LGBT charities by visiting www.lgbtlondon.com
Mayor's London Plan - Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, is writing his London Plan, which sets out what he thinks London's economy, environment, transport, housing and social framework should look like over the next 20-25 years. The Mayor decided to replace the previous Plan rather than amend it and his London Plan is now being scrutinised by an independent panel during the summer and autumn. The London Plan will guide all of the Mayor's other policies and the local plans of all London councils. Stonewall Housing has been invited to make a presentation to the indepndent panel. Stonewall Housing applauds the Mayor on the housing design aspects of the London Plan but believes this is a missed opportunity since the Plan makes no mention of the specific needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trannsgender (LGBT) communities who make up a significant proportion of London residents, workers and visitors. Stonewall Housing belevees the London Plan should celebrate that LGBT people live in London and explain how it will improve their sense of safety in the city and how it will meet their housing needs once and for all; especially those who are younger, older, seeking asylum or fleeing harrassment or domestic abuse. The Plan should also offer more direction and targets to local councils, especially around equalities, and offer more support to voluntary and community groups. In short, the London Plan should clearly state how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will be made to feel safer, with better housing choices, some time in the next 25 years. Stonewall Housing's full response to the London Plan can be read here Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Equality and Diversity Advisory Group: chief executive Bob Green has been appointed to the above group, which will provide input for the HCA's Single Equality Scheme, which includes an action plan, within the next two years, for the agency's vision for the delivery of equality, diversity and cohesion. Housing options for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse: This new guide can be found on our Factsheets page Research: Stonewall Housing has been involved in various projects and publications by other organisations. These include research by the Tenants Services Authority, a report by the National Aids Trust into housing and HIV, Galop's publication Filling in the Blanks about hate crime in London, and Over Not Out by Refugee Support (part of the Metropolitian Support Trust) into LGBT asylum seekers. Over Not Out can be viewed online at www.refugeesupport.org.uk and you'll find Filling in the Blanks at www.galop.org.uk. Stonewall Housing responds to recent consultation papers: Recent responses by Stonewall Housing to government consultation papers include: the EHRC grants scheme, the Mayor's Equality Framework, the new Equality Bill and the future funding priorities for the Big Lottery and the Equality and Human Rights Commission: see our Comments and Analysis page for further details. Other news: Stonewall Housing is now a member of the Voluntary Sector Forum Steering Group and continues to sit on the Mayor's Housing and Equality Group, assisting in the development of his Housing Strategy, out later this year. Working with Stonewall Housing Stonewall Housing is currently recruiting for a co-ordinator to develop the Older LGBT Housing Group. Please see our Jobs Page for further details.
Living with Stonewall Housing Please check back periodically for updates on waiting list vacancies.
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2A Leroy House |
020 7359 6242 (main office) |
020 7359 5767 (advice) |
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Illustrations by Keith Burns |