South Lakes Housing is awarded LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer status

South Lakes Housing is awarded LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer status

South Lakes Housing (SLH) has been awarded LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer status, recognising our commitment to creating safe, inclusive and welcoming homes and services where all residents feel respected, supported and able to be themselves.

The LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge is a national scheme by HouseProud and delivered by Stonewall Housing, a London-based national charity supporting LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness or unsafe housing. It supports social housing providers to demonstrate their commitment to equality, inclusion and support for LGBTQ+ residents as part of wider work to make services fair, welcoming and accessible for everyone.

SLH signed up to the Pledge in October 2025 and set out an ambition to become the first housing provider in Cumbria to achieve Pledge Pioneer status. The award means SLH has demonstrated evidence across the scheme’s core commitments, including resident engagement, communications and training.

Assessment feedback highlighted SLH’s relationship with Rainbow Roofs, attendance at Kendal Pride, communications around what the Pledge means for residents, internal manager training and staff testimonials about the impact of LGBTQ+ inclusion training.

The panel also encouraged SLH to continue developing LGBTQ+ resident engagement, including exploring further opportunities for residents to share their experiences and influence services through conversations, focus groups, resident forums and events.

Pam Mastrantonio, Chief Executive at South Lakes Housing, said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge Pioneer status. At SLH we live and work according to our values. We all belong at SLH and everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and able to be themselves at home, and this award recognises the commitment our colleagues, residents and partners have shown in helping us strengthen LGBTQ+ inclusion across our services. We know this is part of an ongoing journey, and we will continue to listen, learn and work with residents to make sure their voices help shape the way we deliver inclusive homes and communities.”

Leanne, Customer Services Team Leader at South Lakes Housing (pictured on the left above with colleagues at this year’s Kendal Pride), said: “I felt it was important for us to take part in the LGBTQ+ Housing Pledge because every resident should feel safe, respected and able to be themselves when they contact us or live in one of our homes. Signing up gave us a clear way to show that inclusion is not just about words, but about listening, learning and making sure our services are welcoming for everyone.”

SLH’s Pledge Pioneer status runs until 2028, when the organisation will be invited to resubmit and demonstrate further progress.

Residents who would like to find out more about SLH’s equality, diversity and inclusion work, or share their views on how services can be more inclusive, can contact their local SLH team.