Cultural Awareness in Housing
Thursday 18th of June 2026
“Is There a Seat at the Table?” – Exploring Cultural Awareness in Housing
Tpas recently hosted an engaging and thought-provoking workshop on cultural awareness in housing, as part of the ongoing “Is There a Seat at the Table?” programme.
The three-hour session brought together housing professionals and tenants to explore how culture, language, identity and lived experience shape the way people experience housing services and engagement opportunities.
The workshop encouraged honest conversations around assumptions, unconscious bias and inclusive communication, while also providing practical tools and ideas that organisations can take away and apply in their day-to-day work.
A key theme throughout the session was the importance of challenging assumptions about tenants from minority or underrepresented backgrounds. Participants explored how bias can unintentionally affect service delivery, communication and engagement, particularly when organisations rely on “one size fits all” approaches.
Through breakout discussions and real-life scenarios, attendees discussed:
- communication barriers and jargon in housing services
- engaging tenants who are often labelled “hard to reach”
- culturally sensitive approaches to inspections and complaints
- building trust with communities who may feel excluded or unheard
- creating safer and more inclusive engagement spaces
One of the practical highlights of the session was the introduction of the CLEAR communication framework:
- Concise
- Logical
- Empathetic
- Accessible
- Relevant
The workshop also explored the importance of:
- using plain English and accessible formats
- understanding the impact of trauma-informed communication
- improving data collection to better understand tenant needs
- working with interpreters and community organisations
- recognising and challenging microaggressions and unconscious bias
Participants shared a number of practical actions they plan to take forward, including using more direct conversations instead of relying solely on email, improving communication accessibility, and challenging assumptions around why tenants may not engage.
The session created a safe and reflective space for attendees to share experiences, ask questions and think differently about how housing services can become more inclusive, culturally aware and accessible for everyone.
If you missed this great session, you can book on the next one, which is taking place on 29th September at 10am.
Book your place here