KHT makes Stonewall’s top 100

Published by philmc7 for Knowsley Housing Trust in Housing

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) has made it into a top 100 list of gay-friendly employers for the third year running.

KHT has ranked number 68 in Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index 2011, improving on last year's position at 97, and is the only North West housing association to make the top 100.

Gay rights charity Stonewall tracks the impact of workplace culture on gay, lesbian and bisexual employees. It has quickly become a key indicator of positive practice in diversity.

The Index is based on a range of key indicators which this year included the largest ever confidential survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees, with over 9,000 participants.

KHT Chief Executive Bob Taylor said: "We are incredibly proud of this achievement. It celebrates the diverse and inclusive environment we have strived to create across our organisation.

"To have improved on last year's ranking is a fantastic achievement and this is down to the tremendous hard work and commitment of our staff.

"However we will continue to drive forward our equality and diversity agenda even more next year and ensure we are placed even higher."

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: "Competition was fiercer than ever to secure a place on the 2011 Top Employers List.

"We received more entries than any previous year. The Index is a powerful tool used by Britain's 1.7 million gay employees and 150,000 gay university students to decide where to take their talent and skills."

KHT is dedicated to promoting equality and diversity. It has been involved in a number of projects that raise awareness of issues around gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability and ethnicity and help to break down barriers within the housing association and its communities.

In 2010 KHT helped promote FIT – a play aimed at tackling homophobia in young people, took part in the first ever Liverpool Pride march and worked with the Albert Kennedy Trust to tackle the problem of homelessness with young people.

KHT also operate several training programs aimed at recruiting more members of minority ethnic groups to work in housing.