A HOUSING association is set to begin working to drive equality for disabled people in housing.

Braintree-based Eastlight Community Homes has been announced as the national partner working with organisation Purple.

The partnership will involve the 12,000-home organisation working with customers and the community to help change the conversation around disability.

During the coming months, Eastlight will draw on Purple’s expertise, data and real stories to help improve the disability experience for those working in the housing sector and people living in social housing.

Chief executive, Emma Palmer said: “We’re really committed to unlocking the conversations that need to be had for us and other housing organisations and sharing best practice with others.

"We hope this partnership will be a catalyst for significant change in culture, attitudes and policy which will level up the inequality between disabled and non-disabled people."

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Later this year the company will host a free virtual summit called ‘Improving the experiences of disabled people in the housing sector’.

Up to 500 people will meet in a bid to open the conversation up to the whole UK housing sector.

Mike Adams, Chief Executive at Purple, said: “We need to change the disability conversation from one about vulnerable people, charity and welfare to one focused on choice, contribution and opportunity on all things disability.

"Purple is absolutely delighted to be working with Eastlight as housing is one of those central pillars for transforming permanent change for disabled people.”

Purple’s vision is to be the catalyst for change in creating opportunities that transform futures by bringing together disabled people and business for a single purpose.

Their mission is to transform thinking and change the conversation to support businesses and disabled people, creating sustainable solutions for the benefit of society.