The new Labour Government is now in power, and tackling the housing crisis is top of the agenda. In the King’s Speech delivered to parliament on July 17, the Labour government announced its commitment to get Britain building through planning reform as part of its Planning and Infrastructure Bill to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing. Whilst elevating the delivery of new homes with a commitment to mandatory housing targets is a positive move, many would argue that social housing welfare should be higher on the agenda.
Registered Providers of Social Housing (RPs) are already under immense pressure grappling with funding constraints, against rising inflation to improve the quality of housing while keeping rents affordable. And while it is not clear what level of extra financial support, if any they will receive from the new Government, what is clear is that social housing providers will have to do more with what they have. This is why innovative technology is set to have the most transformative impact in the years ahead. By applying the latest innovations in connectivity and smart devices social housing providers can unlock new levels of efficiency whilst elevating the quality of social housing at the same time.
A legacy of ongoing pressures
For social housing providers, maintaining high standards across a large portfolio of complex dwellings is a constant balancing act. Whether a property has been erected for decades or comes from a brand-new development, many of the same issues can cause these standards to drop and create potentially harmful environments for already vulnerable tenants.
Many of these challenges are environmental in nature. Such as actively measuring temperatures for elderly residents. As well as tracking CO2 levels and indoor air quality in high-risk areas of the country. The tracking of allergens and the potential development of moulds and dangerous spores is also another key area of responsibility.
Recent UK legislation for the UK housing sector has placed further pressure on social housing providers. These include:
- Building Safety Act 2022 – This legislation came into effect in April 2023 and requires building owners to manage the safety of their properties. In its manifesto, Labour committed to continued attention on building safety by taking “decisive action to improve building safety, including through regulation”
- Awaab’s Law – Introduced in 2023 as part of the Social Housing Regulation Act, this legislation ensures councils and housing associations are legally obligated to investigate and rectify instances of damp or mould within a prompt timeframe. Intensifying the importance of this law, the new Labour Government plans to extend it to the private rental sector – as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill.
Addressing the ‘digital divide’ through wireless and IoT
Ensuring the mental wellbeing of a resident is just as important as maintaining the health of a property. The issues surrounding ‘digital poverty’ continue to affect the UK population. This digital gap is also especially prevalent among more vulnerable groups such as elderly citizens and low-income families.
With 53 percent of the population offline due to their inability to afford an average monthly broadband bill and 2.5 million people behind on their broadband bills in the UK, digital poverty has become an urgent issue that continues to widen the ‘digital divide’ between those with access to existing and new technology and those increasingly left behind.
Wireless and IoT: A use case for social housing
A technology solution for the social housing sector, particularly those with Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDUs) within their housing stock, would leverage cutting-edge Access Points (APs) distributed throughout a large complex. Thus, ensuring every dwelling and its devices have access to a solid internet connection. In this instance, each dwelling would include its own Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), allowing residents to onboard devices and manage their own networks.
This setup is complemented using Dynamic Pre-Shared Keys (DPSK) and a single Service Set Identifier (SSID) across the estate. This facilitates seamless roaming while keeping each resident’s connection securely confined to their private VLAN. A solution such as this creates a more informed source of data for social housing providers to monitor and act upon. While also creating digitally enhanced environments that empower residents through personalised data and smart devices.
For example, a tenant can see how much energy they’re using, or track humidity levels that could lead to a mould or damp outbreak. This clearer line of communication between resident and social housing provider is key to fostering healthier and more sustainable tenancies.
Creating a more cost-effective, sustainable operation
For social housing providers, a robust, Internet of Things (IoT)-enhanced access network that uses actionable data creates a more cost-effective operation. The benefits of a robust IoT-enhanced access network include:
- Streamlining field-force operations – Proactive monitoring and maintenance of equipment reduce repair costs and delays, ensuring timely service and inspections.
- Effortless IoT Integration – Easy-to-use dashboards for IoT services lower the effort and cost to deliver new technologies to residents.
- Reduced costs and liabilities – Enhanced visibility and proactive maintenance lead to lower insurance and liability costs, along with reduced repair times.
- Infrastructure for device connectivity – Supports the connection of intelligent devices, from boilers to access systems, enhancing home automation and energy management.
- Secure and simple device onboarding – Ensures residents can easily and securely connect their devices, improving digital access and inclusion.
- Complying with sustainability targets and environmental policies – Comprehensive data on energy demand and consumption gives insights on how to best implement energy efficient management. Contributing towards Net Zero targets.
Building a tech-enabled social housing era
As we enter the age of a new Government, with tackling the housing crisis on the top of the agenda but no clarity on available funding for better quality and affordable homes, social housing providers must focus on the transformative impact that connected technology can bring. The integration of effective wireless networking solutions and IoT technologies in the social housing sector will elevate the wellbeing of existing housing stock for sustainable and digitally connected communities. Laying the foundation for a healthier, safer future for social housing.
