Tonic has officially become a Registered Provider of Social Housing, making it the UK’s first housing association specifically catering to the LGBTQ+ community. This significant milestone paves the way for a national network of affirming communities for LGBTQ+ individuals. It represents a considerable advancement in Tonic’s mission to create inclusive and supportive retirement communities where older LGBTQ+ people can live with the security, dignity, and pride they deserve.
As a Registered Provider, Tonic can now enhance its impact by directly providing social and affordable housing. This status opens up new opportunities for development, investment, and partnerships. It serves as a foundation for growth, allowing Tonic to address the urgent and increasing demand for housing that supports and affirms older LGBTQ+ individuals across the UK.
Comment from Terry Stacy MBE, Chair of Tonic Housing
“Tonic is incredibly proud of this landmark achievement as the UK’s first LGBTQ+ Registered Provider of Social Housing — this is a turning point for LGBTQ+ housing in the UK. It gives Tonic the platform to grow a new model of later-life living, where older LGBTQ+ people can age not just with safety and support, but with pride, purpose and visibility.
“This is a testament to the unwavering vision and commitment of Tonic’s Staff, Board and Community Panel, ever since the organisation was founded in 2014. We particularly acknowledge the work of Anna Kear, our former CEO. Anna’s dedication meant we were able to reach this milestone, and we are incredibly grateful for her contributions to Tonic’s legacy.
“We look forward to using our new status as an RP to meet the housing needs of more older LGBTQ+ people, especially those from intersectional marginalised backgrounds. Our vision is bold: a future where LGBTQ+ affirming housing is no longer the exception but a normal part of communities across the country.”
Comment from Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development
“The Mayor and I are proud to have supported Tonic Housing in delivering safe homes for older LGBTQ+ Londoners and delighted that it has become the UK’s first-ever LGBTQ+ registered housing association.
“London is an open, diverse and inclusive city – but while we’ve made real progress on LGBTQ+ rights, there is still more to do, particularly in tackling isolation and inequality in later life. By becoming a registered housing provider, Tonic will be able to go even further in their efforts to deliver the kind of housing and community older LGBTQ+ Londoners not only need but deserve.”
Tonic Housing became the UK’s first LGBTQ+ affirming retirement community in March 2021
Tonic has already begun delivering on this ambition. It became the UK’s first LGBTQ+ affirming retirement community in March 2021, following the acquisition of 19 homes at Bankhouse in Vauxhall. This milestone was made possible through a £5.7 million loan from the GLA’s Community Housing Fund.
Now that the GLA loan has been fully repaid through the sale of 17 shared ownership homes at Tonic@Bankhouse, the remaining two homes have been let to older LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness. Provided initially through a partnership with housing association Riverside, these tenancies will now be held directly by Tonic — a UK first for an LGBTQ+ housing provider, and a sign of what’s to come.
Precarious Lives Report
Tonic’s expansion occurs at a crucial time. Its recent report, “Precarious Lives,” highlights the significant financial hardships, social isolation, and health inequalities faced by older LGBTQ+ individuals in London, challenging the stereotype of the ‘affluent gay retiree.’ Many in this community experience high rates of poverty and disability, along with limited support networks. This underscores the urgent need for LGBTQ+-affirming, affordable housing. By becoming a Registered Provider, Tonic aims to address this need on a larger scale, offering homes that provide not just safety but also dignity and a sense of belonging.
More about Tonic
Tonic is a community-led, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating vibrant and inclusive urban retirement communities that affirm LGBTQ+ identities. Their mission is to foster environments where individuals can share common experiences, find mutual support, and enjoy their later years. Established in 2014, Tonic was created to address the loneliness and isolation experienced by older LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as the lack of specific housing and support options available in the UK before 2021.
