Get clear, confident and compliant on why, and how, to collect and use EDI data in the social housing sector in England.
❝ We’re being told by the Regulator we have to collect this data… but we’re not sure what we’re legally allowed to ask, or how to explain it to residents. ❞
Sound familiar?
Across the sector, social landlords are working hard to meet the new Consumer Standards, including section 2.1.1 of the Transparency, Influence & Accountability Standard, that says:
2.1.1 Registered providers must use relevant information and data to:
a) understand the diverse needs of tenants, including those arising from protected characteristics, language barriers, and additional support needs; and
b) assess whether their housing and landlord services deliver fair and equitable outcomes for tenants.”
But here’s what’s happening in practice:
❗EDI surveys launched without a clear plan
❗Sensitive questions asked without a lawful basis
❗Trust being damaged, not built
❗Time and money wasted
❗No meaningful insight gained
❗Increased risk in the case of a data breach
You’re not alone, though
The messaging from the Regulator of Social Housing and other housing bodies is confusing, and the pressure is high. But collecting personal data without a proper plan or a lawful basis isn’t just unlawful – it risks causing real harm to the people the sector exists to serve.
What you need right now?
It isn’t more data; it’s more clarity.
We offer a range of support to help you build confidence and compliance with your EDI data collection and use.
EDI Data Clarity Session
A 2.5 hour online session to cut through the confusion that’s kept you going in circles for months, and get straight answers in hours rather than weeks.
We’ll help you:
- Understand what the regulator and the law actually says about EDI data.
- Identify lawful and unlawful data practices.
- Assess the risks to your residents and to the organisation.
- Sense-check your current plans or drafts.
- Explore additional ways to meet the Transparency Consumer Standard.
£1,250 + VAT per organisation – limited slots available.
EDI Data Insights Accelerator
Ready to go deeper and get things right from start to finish? From strategy all the way to insights that lead to impact.
Over 3 structured online sessions, of 2 hours each, the Accelerator supports you to:
Session 1: develop a clear, shared vision for your EDI data, from strategy to action;
Session 2: build a comprehensive policy that specifies exactly what EDI data to collect, how to manage it, and how to ask the right questions; and
Session 3: map your route from data insights to transformative action.
£3,800 + VAT per organisation – only 1 space available until the end of September 2025.
Ongoing Support: DiSH Membership
For community, collaboration & continued learning, join the Data in Social Housing (DiSH) membership and access:
- Monthly live Q&A calls and 1:1 advice
- Growing library of templates, checklists, guidance & more on a huge variety of data topics
- Private forum for mutual support
- News updates & case studies.
Only £36 (inc. VAT) per person per month.
BONUS: 8 x Strategy Workshops per year
[worth £325 each workshop, total £2,600]
BONUS: Private podcast of Q&A sessions.
What people say about our EDI Data Strategy sessions:
“The session was really helpful the other day, thank you.”
“Thank you so much, it was very eye opening!”
“Thank you! This was such a useful session. I really enjoyed it, and the time flew by!”
“Great informative session and the templates will be useful, thanks.”
“Really useful and lots to think about and challenge. Thanks Clare.”
“It was a very informative and useful session, thank you very much.”
Strategy – Insight – Impact
We work with purpose-led housing providers like yours.
With over 25 years in quality, risk and data roles – 20 of them in housing and 12+ specialising in data protection – I understand the the sector’s challenges, and how to help you:
Stay on the right side of the law,
Meet the regulator’s expectations,
Build trust with tenants, not break it down, and
Create fairer, clearer systems that support equality without creating risk
We’re not here to sell fear. We’re here to support equality, diversity, inclusion, and fairness, and help you turn EDI data into a force for good.
Ready to put Purpose first?
Don’t guess. Don’t wait. Don’t risk it.
Let’s talk about what you need to collect, what you don’t, and how to do it right. So you can meet the standards, support inclusion, and earn trust.
Psst! Want a sneak peek at how we approach the complex topic of EDI Data in Social Housing, including hearing exactly what the Regulator’s office actually says about the GDPR? Read this blog post ‘EDI data in Social Housing; when good intentions go bad (and how to get it right)’.
Looking for a lighter touch? Start with the Toolkit:
Client Case Studies & Success Stories
Decisions without drama
Before: A DiSH network member joined a new employer who was stuck in repeated, tense conversations about collecting EDI data from all residents (not just the main tenant) for statistical purposes.
What Happened: Using the EDI data materials, she led a calm, unbiased discussion focused on balancing benefits with costs and risks.
After: The team realised the extra data would add little value to their strategy. They reduced the amount of data to be collected.
Result: Saved time, resources, and money, lowered compliance risk and security risk, and better customer reactions to surveys.
Cutting through the noise
Before: The senior leadership team at a housing association had spent months going around in circles about whether to ask EDI questions of residents, and what their lawful basis could be, and how to use the data.
What We Did: In just a couple of hours in an EDI Data Clarity Session, we re-wrote their plan for EDI data collection, including re-drafting the wording on their Customer Preference survey.
After: The new survey questions were clear, useful, and legally sound – enabling them to provide reasonable adjustments that residents are entitled to, without over-promising or being privacy-intrusive.
Result: Improved customer service and stronger trust – a genuine win/win.
From Risky Plans to Purpose-Led Practice
Before: A DPO+ Service client was planning a new EDI Data Survey for residents. The draft included asking about sexuality and religion without a clear purpose or explanation – risking both GDPR breaches and customer trust.
What We Did: Through targeted discussions, we slimmed down the survey, clarified the purpose of each question, and ensured all data collected had a lawful basis and a clear plan for use.
After: The client has cut out unnecessary questions and will now collect only relevant data, knows exactly how it will be used, and will explain this transparently to residents.
Result: Improved customer trust, while reducing costs, as well as reducing compliance risks and security risks.
Latest blog posts:
- AI Ethics in Housing: The Ready-built Framework
- EDI Data Collection in Social Housing: When Good Intentions Go Bad (And How to Get It Right)
- The Origins & Purpose of Data Protection
- A look around the DiSH (Data in Social Housing) Membership
- Poor KIM: A Key Factor in Housing Complaints – Guest post from Jo Leckie, Big Picture Training