CIH to set up equality, diversity and inclusion board

The CIH said it is important that the board reflects the diversity of the sector and candidates should have a commitment to, and be passionate about, EDI.

The closing date for submissions is 5pm on 20 September 2024 and interviews will take place in October.

Callum Chomczuk, EDI lead at the CIH and national director of CIH Scotland, said: “While we have made progress in recent years, we believe the establishment of an EDI board is essential to drive continuous improvements both within CIH and across the profession.

“To make the board a success, we need input from the sector. We want our new EDI board to reflect both the diversity of the profession and reflect the nations and region of the UK. 

“I encourage anyone that is passionate about EDI and would like to contribute to the future of EDI in the housing profession to apply.”

In 2022, the CIH created an EDI framework, a free tool to help members assess current working practices and cultures, and launched a census of all CIH members to better understand the profile of its members it works with.

The group shares the results of the census annually to measure progress against its commitment.

In September last year, fellow housing body the National Housing Federation recommended housing associations review their processes for collecting EDI data, after its report showed that the sector still has a “long way to go”.

The new version of the sector’s environmental, social and governance standard places a greater emphasis on EDI. ‘Version 2.0’ of the Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing was launched in October and requires providers to “comply or explain” their approach in their responses.

Last month, the CIH elected Julie Haydon, corporate services director at ALMO Wolverhampton Homes, as its next vice-president.