#ForAccessibleHomes campaign wins national public affairs award | Policy blog

Habinteg and Connect Communications recognised for their influencing impact

Our campaign to influence politicians to address the UK’s accessible housing deficit has won the Chartered Institute of Public Relations 2017 Excellence Award for Public Affairs.

The award, presented at a ceremony in the City of London, represents the highest industry recognition for the Connect Communications and Habinteg ‘For Accessible Homes’ campaign.

The #ForAccessibleHomes campaign had a clear objective - to increase the number of accessible homes using a comprehensive approach across national and local government, and other stakeholders. Using a range of creative techniques and innovative research the campaign cut through amongst these key audiences. This resulted in some notable success including helping to amend the Neighbourhood Planning Bill, working with the Women and Equalities Select Committee on a crucial inquiry and informing the Housing White Paper. Habinteg’s Vice-Chair Andrew Gibson played a key role in communicating with MPs directly the benefits of building high quality, inclusive housing through a focussed contact plan.

The campaign will be running again this year on Friday 8 September, building on the momentum achieved and ensuring local and national policy makers keep inclusive housing on the agenda. Last year hundreds of people participated in the campaign day on social media, sharing photos and including many Habinteg tenants telling their personal stories about the difference accessible housing has made to them.

Connect Managing Partner, Andy Sawford said:

“We are very proud to have worked with Habinteg to put accessible housing on the political agenda. Through our hard work we have not only changed the law, we’ve also set the direction to change people’s lives for the better. We look forward to working with Habinteg to achieve further change in the future.”

Christina McGill, Head of Communications at Habinteg said:

“Accessible homes matter. We had a message that resonated with people and that has helped influence decisions, resulting in real policy outcomes and cross-party support for accessible housing.

“This award is recognition for everyone that has taken part in making the campaign a success – including our tenants who made their voices heard loud and clear. There is more work still to do but we’re delighted that inclusion in housing policy is firmly on the agenda.”

You can find out more about last year's #ForAccessibleHomes campaign here. We look forward to your support for the campaign day on 8 September.