The new Labour government’s policy details around social housing along with its proposed Planning and Infrastructure and English Devolution Bills are yet to be fully revealed. However, we do know the government plans to use housebuilding to kickstart the economy.
The new targets will be around 23 per cent higher than the previous government’s. Combined with the government’s intention to develop brownfield sites, involve local councils in how housing is built, move ahead with a £450 million investment into the Local Authority Housing Fund and devolve powers to local governments, it’s clear housing providers will need to prepare to scale up their operations. As part of that scaling-up process, digitising systems and streamlining processes will enable housing providers to meet these new expectations.
More social housing
England is in the middle of a housing crisis. More housing is needed to ease the dire situation many people find themselves in. The government has set high targets, aiming for 1.5 million new homes to be built over the next five years; this is an increase to 370,000 houses per year from the previous government’s target of 300,000 per year through its term in office.
The 23 per cent increase is ambitious, particularly in light of the previous government falling short of its targets over the past two years. The Labour government plans to get around the typical hurdles by overhauling the planning system and insisting housing will be built in the areas of greatest need. Councils will have a say on how houses are built, but not whether they are built. In instances where councils are not meeting their obligations, the government will step in to drive development forward.
Whether these homes are built on brownfield land, re-zoned greenfield land or earmarked grey-belt land, new housing stock is certain to add further pressure on housing providers’ systems and processes. From assigning affordable housing to those in greatest need to maintaining and managing these properties, housing providers will do well to review their current systems and look for ways to improve them. Doing so will enable them to keep up with the greater capacity they’ll be expected to manage.
Giving councils a voice
Labour’s Planning & Infrastructure Bill will also standardise the methods used to calculate housing needs across all councils. By relying on up-to-date data, councils will be able to confidently identify the areas for development. But councils won’t be able to say no to more housing. Once they’ve identified their housing needs and appropriate locations, they’ll only be allowed to have a say on how they are developed.
Climate obligations and carbon-reduction targets will influence the specifications of how developments are built and managed. Because of this, technology ecosystems that enhance sustainability and future-proof these areas are likely to be a core part of the requirements for developing and managing these communities.
Housing management software to automate facilities management processes is the kind of technology that stands housing providers in good stead. When organisations scale, data-driven decision-making becomes crucial. Quick and simple reporting abilities to prove regulatory compliance can save organisations hours and keep them ahead of the many day-to-day issues that are part of social housing. In short, the automation of standard processes saves everyone time and headaches.
Improved planning abilities, efficiencies and sustainability, delivered by reliable and accurate data and automated workflows, will lead to better tenant services and more cost-effective service delivery.
Future-proofing communities
Local Growth Plans will bring with them statutory requirements for town regeneration schemes. Involving local communities in the development and regeneration of their area means that the supporting infrastructure (e.g. road improvements, new GP surgeries and schools) is far more likely to be tailored to those communities’ needs and expectations. It’s a tactic that somewhat future-proofs new social housing by ensuring that the expected amenities are within easy reach of households.
MPs are prepared to step in to make decisions for areas that fall off track or begin falling behind the targets they’re expected to meet.
Housing providers will benefit from digitisation for reporting to their councils about housing stock, maintenance records and other management metrics they may need to provide. One example would be Awaab’s Law and the requirement for housing providers to respond to hazards such as damp and mould within strict timeframes. Quickly proving compliance with new (and older) housing regulations will save management teams time and frustration when reports are needed.
Digitise systems for a smoother ride
Labour moved quickly, as promised, with revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework and there’s no reason to expect the detailed strategy will be delayed. This will be published in the coming months and will hopefully provide the clarity everyone is waiting for.
Housing providers that haven’t started to digitise their systems should treat this period as an opportunity. Now is the time to review digital tools and choose a partner for the journey ahead. Make the most of this time while the government dots the i’s and crosses the t’s on its long-term strategy.
Systems that streamline the day-to-day management of housing stock and securely record key information about maintenance and tenants should be prioritised. Housing management systems already in place should be at the heart of new integrations with more specialised software to further streamline processes. Integrating technology solutions (no matter who the provider is) leads to greater efficiencies, faster decisions and better data visibility.
It also helps with compliance and meeting the demand for a sustainable future. The right software ecosystem for managing large numbers of housing stock is no longer just a ‘nice to have’; it’s an essential tool for any housing provider keen to continue delivering a valuable service to tenants and the councils they work with.
Software providers supporting the housing sector are poised to support and develop their systems for clients. At Aareon UK, we’re looking at ways to make it easier to track work related to Awaab’s Law. Thanks to regular feedback and communication with our customers, we’ve been able to provide the kind of tailored and proactive support they need.
Prepare now for what’s to come
Although we’re all waiting for clarity on the government’s housing strategy, there’s no reason not to prepare for the road ahead. Laying the foundations for greater efficiencies within your organisation and gaining the ability to streamline and automate processes wherever is possible and practical will put housing providers in a strong position.
We know that working closely with the right technology partner makes a huge difference to housing providers who want to stay organised, increase their capacity and lower their costs. It keeps them moving confidently toward current goals and able to adapt to new demands.
Getting organised and on top of responsibilities now won’t just help housing providers to continue delivering their services, it will also help them adapt and scale faster in response to whatever lies ahead.
Greg Jackson is head of customer success at Aareon UK.
