We envision HIP Housing as an organization that centers representation, health, and belonging in its opportunities and practices. Consistent work towards diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is crucial to HIP Housing’s impact, and we believe that commitment to these areas enables employees and clients to embrace and advocate for the potential in themselves and others.

HIP Housing’s DEI efforts began in earnest in October 2019, when the organization hired a DEI Consultant and conducted a staff-wide Inclusion Survey to frame next steps. Since then, HIP Housing has made substantive progress in the realm of DEI, guided by a series of strategies that are outlined in the organization’s current five-year Strategic Plan, which include:

  • Design safe spaces for staff and clients
  • Foster broad Board recruitment
  • Develop an ongoing DEI training and engagement plan
  • Design policies that promote equity
  • Create an Integrated Inclusion Council

HIP Housing’s DEI Council:

To spearhead DEI efforts and ensure a sustainable commitment to change, we developed the Integrated Inclusion Council, or DEI Council, a group of staff members charged with shaping the inclusionary practices, policies, and goals at HIP Housing. The guiding purpose of the DEI Council is to provide educational opportunities and safe spaces for staff to engage in critical conversations. Since the Council first convened in November 2021, members have facilitated staff engagement via monthly workshops centered around DEI concepts, including unconscious bias, bystander intervention, and trauma-informed care. The Council also conducts policy reviews and presents recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team. To date, the Council has reviewed two new policies, a progressive discipline policy and a one-on-one manager communication policy.

Moving Forward:

DEI work calls for a high degree of engagement and innovation, and we want to foster an environment that encourages organization-wide participation. Additionally, we recognize that the work behind DEI initiatives can be emotionally taxing and time-intensive. To mitigate this, Council members receive compensation for their participation and engage in open communication and task-sharing. Currently, the Council is working on revising the employee handbook with policies that support an inclusive culture. Looking ahead, the DEI Council plans to track the progress of its work by measuring emotional impact, communication, productivity, and engagement among staff members.