Episode 2: Tonic Housing
Anna Kear in the roof garden at Tonic Housing
In this episode we have the immense privilege of speaking to Anna Kear, the CEO of Tonic Housing. Tonic is a community-led not for profit organisation focused on providing vibrant and inclusive urban LGBTQ+ affirming retirement communities.
In 2021, they opened the UK’s first LGBTQ+ affirmative retirement housing. Tonic@Bankhouse is a retirement community comprising of affordable apartments over 14 floors, located on Albert Embankment in the iconic area of Vauxhall, Lambeth. Tonic owns 19 of these 1 and 2 bed apartments with One Housing managing all the rented apartments and providing the personal care and support services on-site.
Tonic has focused on London for the first project as the capital has the largest older LGBT+ population in the UK, estimated to be 145,000 people. However, they are also working in other areas, such as in Manchester with the LGBT Foundation.
A “self confessed housing geek”, Anna gets into great detail while communicating eloquently on what is a complex issue. Tonic exists in overlapping sectors: LGBTQ+, housing, care, and retirement housing - with her job often ended up being a “translator for the straight community”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan at the official launch of Tonic Housing
In the Building Safer Choices report, the largest survey of it kind (for over 55s identifying as LGBT in London), only 1% said they’d go into a general housing with care scheme, with 56% wanting a LGBT specific provider, and 26% if a general housing scheme had accreditation from a ‘regular’ provider.
The survey also revealed that 56% of respondents live on their own, and 82% did not have any children. This lack of familial backing in the LGBTQ+ community is a crucial point, given that “in terms of navigating the care system; the care system very much relies on people's families, being their advocates, and helping them navigate the system. If you don't have that, you can be even more lonely and isolated by that situation.”
Anna speaking at the launch event
Our episode also explores the work that Tonic, Stonewall Housing, and Opening Doors do in working together - much needed in the times we live in. Also discussed is the history of LGBTQ+ housing (or therein lack of), and the stark impact of Section 28, while drawing upon Anna’s 30 years of housing experience.
We had the great pleasure of taking a tour of Tonic. Apartments feature wonderful views of the city, and a rooftop garden is an impressive feature (residents are already making plans to make it their own, underlining the community spirit that Tonic are keen to foster). All a stone’s throw from the RVT.
A couple of Tonic’s first ever residents at an event celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month
The communal space at Tonic
For further reading we recommend checking out Patrick Strudwick’s article in The i
Images here were taken at Tonic Housing, Bankhouse, including at their launch event in late 2021 where the London Mayor Sadiq Khan opened the development.
To keep up with Tonic, visit their website.
Please do let us know about your favourite queer spaces, collectives, and organisations. Stories on your experiences of LGBTQ+ spaces are very much welcome.
Who should we include in future episodes? tim@queerspaces.uk
