Stonewall Housing has launched a new housing scheme aimed at supporting vulnerable LGBTQ+ people in Brighton & Hove.
This initiative, which is supported by Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard, marks a “significant step” forward in addressing the “pressing need” for safe and supportive accommodation for LGBTQ+ people who are homeless or fleeing from abusive environments.
The housing scheme, which is equipped with “comprehensive welfare support”, offering residents a “much-needed safe space”, represents a collaborative effort between Stonewall Housing, CHISEL Neighbourhood Housing Association and Brighton & Hove City Council to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ people.
Central to the scheme is the provision of dedicated support workers who will collaborate with each resident to co-produce personalised support plans tailored for their specific needs.
Stonewall Housing disclosed that 97% of service users have highlighted the importance of having caseworkers who understand the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.
“With LGBTQ+ homelessness on the rise, this scheme will provide a safe and secure environment and a much-needed tailored support that can change the lives of LGBTQ+ people, empower them and help them pave the way for a more secure future.”
Typically, residents will stay for six to 18 months, with ongoing support to facilitate their transition to longer-term housing solutions.
Founded in 1983, Stonewall Housing has assisted over 43,000 people and provided vital services to over 3,200 people in the last year alone.
Stonewall Housing’s 2023 Strategic Review disclosed that approximately one-third of service users have experienced some form of abuse and 47% of service users come from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
These figures underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the intersecting challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in accessing safe and stable housing.
Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee at Brighton & Hove City Council, said : “I am very proud to collaborate with Stonewall Housing and CHISEL on the new scheme supporting vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth in our city.
“With LGBTQ+ homelessness on the rise, this scheme will provide a safe and secure environment and a much-needed tailored support that can change the lives of LGBTQ+ people, empower them and help them pave the way for a more secure future.
“There has been a growing need for supported accommodation for LGBTQ+ people in the city for many years now.”
“The launch of this scheme is a step towards our ambition as a council to live up to our national and international reputation and create a city that is truly a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Steven McIntyre, CEO of Stonewall Housing, said: “There has been a growing need for supported accommodation for LGBTQ+ people in the city for many years now and I am just delighted that together with CHISEL Housing and Brighton & Hove City Council we are now able to provide safe accommodation for those who need it most.”
Miles Lanham, CEO of CHISEL Neighbourhood Housing Association, said: “We’re so pleased that that CHISEL can collaborate to make a meaningful difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Brighton, and look forward to welcoming them to the CHISEL family here.”
Jane Woodhull, Inclusion & Engagement Project Manager of Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard, said: “Switchboard has been amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ communities in Brighton and Hove calling for LGBTQ+ specific safe housing to be prioritised.
“Our night shelter pilot, in partnership with Stonewall Housing and The Outside Project and funded by the Brighton Rainbow Fund last year demonstrated the great need for supported LGBTQ+ accommodation across Sussex.
“We are absolutely delighted with this new LGBTQ+ housing scheme and believe this will be the start of addressing the significant issues LGBTQ+ people face in accessing safe, inclusive housing.”
