The idea
All housing associations are expected to ask very personal questions of their tenants. Top of the list of really contentious questions are 'Sexuality' or 'Transexual'.
Why is it important?
The tenants who are lesbian, gay or transexual rarely answer the question truthfully – unless they are activists(or by mistake). The staff are exceptionally uncomfortable asking the questions. Some of the tenants blame the housing associations for the intrusion into their privacy. Can you please stop the Quangos making such unreasonable, time consuming and pointless demands please? Audit Commission inspectors are forcing it upon us in the short notice inspections. We have to do everything they ask us to do – otherwise they patiently explain – our performance rating suffers.
They say we should ask so that we can make reasonable adjustments to our policies and procedures. We maintain that we treat all people fairly and without prejudice. If someone wanted to share such information for a particular reason we would of course pay attention to their needs. Even the Government are not asking the question in the forthcoming Census – so why foist it upon Housing Associations?
It makes it even more like a 'big brother' society.