BuildEast, an alliance of the 17 largest housing associations across the east of England, has launched a new equality diversity, and inclusion (EDI) Positive Practice Library as an online resource for its members.
The ‘library’ – which includes case studies of successful EDI initiatives, examples of joint working, and information about EDI-related awards and accreditations – was created to raise members’ standards in relation to EDI.
Emma Palmer, chief executive of Eastlight Community homes and BuildEast vice-chair, was among leading regional figures in EDI best-practice to attend the launch event held last month.
BuildEast already benchmarks members in line with the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) EDI data tool.
The tool enables housing associations to compare workforces to the communities they serve, based on population in stock location, and looks at all nine protected characteristics and socio-economic background.
It is also mandatory for BuildEast members to be signed up to the NHF’s EDI charter.
James Francis, chair of BuildEast, said: “We know a more diverse and inclusive culture leads to better services for our members’ customers and communities, and the EDI Positive Practice Library is a fantastic resource to enable all BuildEast members to share ideas.
“We want our organisations to be inclusive and accessible places to work, delivering homes and communities that are suitable for all.
“Our thanks go Emma Palmer for her commitment and insight, and for being the driving force behind the creation of the library.”
Emma said: “It’s an honour to be able to use Eastlight’s experience to help other housing providers in the East of England to further their commitment to EDI.
“I hope the library becomes a resource that helps our region to become a hotbed of ideas and initiatives around EDI.”
The library is available to download on the BuildEast website here.
Eastlight Community Homes is a resident-led housing association managing around 12,500 homes in Essex and Suffolk.
Image: Emma Palmer, chief executive, Eastlight
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