Stonewall Cymru and Triangle Wales published research on the housing needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Wales, which was carried out by SPARK Research. The research involved a self-selecting sample of lesbian, gay and bisexual people who had experienced housing problems and a variety of housing providers.
Some of the key findings were as follows:
Harassment in and around the home was the most prolific cause of housing problems and the most significant factor in the need for people who took part in the research to move home. Such problems occurred across all tenures.
Homophobia was a significant cause of housing problems.
The lack of resources and help available meant that many participants had no option but to leave their home in order to avoid further harassment and homophobia.
The majority of lesbian, gay and bisexual participants involved in the research did not seek or receive assistance from statutory or voluntary housing support services. Those involved in the research stressed that their initial contact with a service provider was a significant influence on the degree of confidence they had in disclosing their sexual orientation.
The majority of local authorities and housing associations that took part in the study did not have detailed knowledge of the needs and expectations of this group or access to suitable training.
Few services monitor access, applications or services by sexual orientation.
Dover is to be home to 47 stunning new apartments for older and vulnerable people as part of a prestigious £72 million development across Kent. The dwellings will be for people from across the district, as well as Dover itself. Housing 21 has been appointed the preferred bidder.
People living in the apartments will be able to get as much help as they need - 24 hours a day if necessary. But at the same time they will retain their privacy and independence.
In total, there will be 40 extra care flats for older people - mostly with one bedroom but some with two bedrooms - and seven single-bedroom flats, in a separate block, for people with learning disabilities. Each apartment will have its own sitting room, kitchen, and bathroom.
The units with two bedrooms will enable couples to continue living together, even if one needs significant amounts of care - avoiding the sad situation, which sometimes arises, of couples facing separation when one of them becomes very frail, confused or dependent.
There will also be communal facilities, such as a sitting room, restaurant, bar and gym on the development for older people, with space for a hairdressing salon, treatment room and little shop. Additionally, there will be communal and staff space in the building for people with learning disabilities.
The apartments are the result of a partnership between Kent County Council and Dover District Council - part of the pioneering Better Homes, Active Lives project.
Better Homes - Active Lives is a multi-million pound project, which is one of the largest of its type in Kent. The project has received Government approval and, with private sector partners, is set to develop within a five-year period the following:
