‘We are fighting to change how people see us’ - Oldbury social housing residents campaign against stigma with Parliament visit

Two Oldbury residents have joined the campaign to change how people view those living in social housing.

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Mike Crump and Collette Eden, from Oldbury, attended the launch of a new campaign to tackle social housing stigma which was held at Parliament on Monday (May 19) - hosted by Ben Coleman MP and the Stop the Social Housing Stigma Group.

The new campaign has launched with the aim of tackling the stigma surrounding social housing, featuring a specially developed journey planner to help tenants and landlords work together on addressing the issue.

Collette Eden, resident; Ben Coleman MP; and Mike Crump, resident

Stephanie Rees, Complaints Officer; Satinder Singh, Engagement Officer; Linda Edwards, Engagement Officer; Mike Crump, Resident; and Collette Eden, Resident outside the Houses of Parliament

Social housing stigma is a widespread issue, affecting nearly half of all residents, according to recent findings. It emerged as a top concern among tenants during Ministerial roadshows held in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Colette, 37, who has been a social housing resident for 13 years and works in the Justice System, says she wants people like her to been ‘treated with respect and dignity.’

She said: “It was really interesting to be part of this event. We met residents from other housing associations, that were there to discuss their experiences and why we are fighting for changing how people look at social housing and the stigma attached to it.

“For myself, I think it is really important for people to be treated with respect and dignity and to be treated as if it was your own house. I’m all for us all coming together to get things moving and very proud to be involved with Trident on this important campaign.”

Mike Crump, resident; Collette Eden, resident; and Engagement Officers Linda Edwards and Satinder Singh reading the new journey planner designed with their input

Mike Crump, a former Police Detective, Mental Health Campaigner, and Trident Group resident Committee member, added that the campaign is vital as the need for social housing continues to grow.

The 55-year-old said: “In a sector that will inevitably become more not less important over the coming years as the need for social housing grows, the stigma attached to people living in social housing needs to be tackled and addressed.

“The event was very well attended by a network of officers and residents from Housing Associations across the UK.

“It is important that this network continues to grow and build on the significant work already done to seek to tackle and address stigma and discrimination often directed at people living in social housing.”

Trident Group meeting other residents and discussing the campaign

The initiative is part of a wider pilot scheme involving 11 pioneering housing associations and local councils, including the Trident Group, whose experiences have fed into ground-breaking research on the topic.

Until recently, the issue had received limited academic attention. That changed with the launch of the Stop Social Housing Stigma campaign, which brought together experts from Durham University, Sheffield Hallam University, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), TPAS, and YD Consultants to investigate the problem and propose solutions.

Nigel Wilson, Trident Group Chief Executive, commented: "We believe that it is vital that we as housing associations tackle social housing stigma.

“Our residents are at the heart of what we do and are valued members of our team making key decisions in our committees and resident groups. Trident are proud to support this campaign and we hope others join us in doing so."