What HDN’s Accreditation Really Says About Your Organisation

In a sector built on trust, accountability, and fairness, social housing organisations are under growing pressure to demonstrate not just good intentions on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) – but real, measurable action. Commitments, pledges, and charters are one thing, but at the end of the day, how does your organisation – and the communities that you serve – know that you are utilising your full potential and performing at the absolute highest level you can in the EDI space? That’s exactly where Housing Diversity Network’s Diversity Network Accreditation (DNA) comes in.

We know that EDI isn’t a “nice to have”- it underpins service delivery, compliance, organisational culture, and customer trust. In light of this we’ve designed the DNA to be a comprehensive, sector-specific EDI accreditation available to any housing provider across the UK – be they a housing association, ALMO, or local authority. Built with housing professionals and continually updated to reflect the latest regulation and best practice, our DNA provides organisations with an honest, external view of how well they embed EDI in their leadership, practices as an employer, workplace culture – and, crucially, in how they provide services to their communities.

But beyond the process itself, what does achieving DNA accreditation mean – and why does it matter?

A True Test of How Your Organisation Operates

Unlike assessments that rely purely on policy reviews, the DNA goes further. Our accreditation independently tests how your organisation actually operates day to day, at every level.

This includes:

• Board leadership and strategic focus
• Workforce progression, culture, data and development
• Customer experience, service outcomes and equitable access
• Wider community impact and partnership work

Through documentary evidence gathering, staff, tenant and board surveys and interviews, and on-site visits, we build a picture of how EDI manifests across your organisation’s culture, systems and behaviours. It’s a holistic assessment of both the formal structures and the informal realities.

A Clear Framework for Action and Measurable Progress

One of the most valued elements of the DNA is that the assessment doesn’t simply determine the outcome of the accreditation. Whether you pass or not, our final report gives you:

• A clear, structured framework outlining what good looks like
• Constructive challenge that helps you understand where gaps exist
• Specific, evidence-backed recommendations you can act upon
• Suggestions on how to measure, track and demonstrate progress over time

Organisations often tell us that DNA provides clarity they haven’t been able to get from internal reviews: our EDI expertise, knowledge of sector best-practice, and fresh external lens provide a roadmap that highlights priorities and creates focus for long-term improvement.

Showing You’re Willing to Be Held Accountable

In an environment where transparency and accountability are increasingly non-negotiable, choosing to undertake the DNA sends a powerful message. It shows that:

• You are genuinely committed to improvement
• You are open to scrutiny
• You understand that EDI is inseparable from good governance and high performance
• You are ready to take action – not just talk about it

This willingness to be held accountable matters to boards, regulators, customers and staff alike.

Ultimately, when a housing provider proves to us that it is performing at an exceptional level and earns the DNA accreditation, it signals something important: EDI is not an add-on for you. It’s part of your organisation’s identity, purpose and leadership. And that’s the way it should be.

To learn more about the DNA process and getting accredited as an organisation, get in touch with HDN’s Research and Policy Lead at josh@housingdiversitynetwork.co.uk.