RCT Homes
Since its formation, RCT Homes has developed a comprehensive Equality and Diversity strategy working with tenants and a cross section of staff to ensure our policies and processes are relevant to the diverse communities that we serve in the Borough.
In a recent status survey undertaken with our tenants with a returns rate of 29%, 2.4% of the respondents classed themselves as either gay, lesbian or bi with a further 6% choosing the option of other.
The gay rights charity Stonewall recently commissioned research that showed that one in five lesbian and gay people were victims of homophobic aggression between 2005 and 2008. And with Home Office research showing that most hate criminals live in the same neighbourhood as their victims RCT Homes understands there is a strong need to develop effective mechanisms to tackle all forms of hate crime, harassment and intimidation in our communities.
So when Anthony Dodd and P.C. Neil Jeffries came to RCT Homes with the idea of the LGBT Support Network it was a perfect opportunity for RCT Homes to become active members of the steering group. This group will ensure we serve those LGBT members of the RCT communities to prevent any disadvantage they may receive as result of their sexuality and to ensure that all opportunities are provided to enable them to enjoy their homes and communities.
As a result of this relationship and multi agency working any instances of homophobic related hate crime reported to us will result in swift, measured and supported responses from all staff of the organisation, undertaken with knowledge and understanding. A further development of this service is already in place through the All Wales ASB Hate Crime Tool Kit that RCT Homes are founder members of In addition we have also put in place ongoing in house training for all front line RCT Homes’ staff.
It is the intention of RCT Homes to actively participate in the development of the Support Network and undertake the supporting role for other Registered Social Landlords within Rhondda Cynon Taff.
