Friday roundup: A week in tech, 5 August

Taiwan-obsessed China has upped the stakes over the island it so covets, after American globetrotter Nancy Pelosi did some up-staking of her own with a visit to the uneasy landmass. And now the UK Parliament has decided to pick up … Read more

Next-gen heat pump could ‘cut energy bills and carbon emissions’

Researchers from the University of Glasgow have developed a new type of heat pump, a flexible heat pump technology, which could help households save on their energy bills and contribute towards net-zero emissions goals. Around the world, about 40% of … Read more

Write up from smarter, safer homes event

At our recent I&T Hub event we explored the challenges of using data and implementing technology to create smarter, safer homes.    A key theme for the day was the need for accurate record keeping and data management to make sure … Read more

Bromford reports attempted cyber-attack

Bromford has become the latest landlord to be targeted by an attempted cyber-attack. The Midlands-based housing association said it shut down all its technology after hackers had tried to breach its systems. It has shut down some of its services, … Read more

Innovation and Technology Hub best practice group update

This week we held our latest Innovation and Technology Hub best practice group. There were some key themes for our conversation which we’ve outlined below. These are really useful and engaging discussions and are free to all of our members. … Read more

Housing association says customer data ‘not accessed’ in cyber attack

Clarion Housing Group has given an update on the recent cyber security incident, saying that “we are now confident that our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, which is our main store of customer data, was not accessed”. The housing association … Read more

Let’s not be distracted by political upheaval – our tenants want us focused on better services

By Tim Cowland, Senior Consultant, Socitm Advisory The housing sector is used to political turmoil. So as the government wrestles with its future direction, we must continue to focus on the changes and challenges that will impact our tenants and … Read more

Opinion: Let’s not be distracted by political upheaval — our tenants want better services

By Tim Cowland, Client Services Director for Housing, Socitm Advisory. The housing sector is used to political turmoil. So as the government wrestles with its future direction, we must continue to focus on the changes and challenges that will impact … Read more

Housing Quality Magazine July 2022

Housing association going beyond government standards with ‘gas free’ pledge

A housing association says it has created its own standard for newly-built homes that will exceed the Future Homes Standard recently set out by the UK government. Yorkshire Housing plans to see all its new homes go ‘gas free’ from next year, … Read more

Opinion: Why did we ever buy this?

By Dave Loudon, Founder of DtL Creative You’ve bought a new, shiny, all-encompassing, truly amazing housing management system. Or at least, that’s what the supplier said at the conference. It can do this and that, it can change your life … Read more

Opinion: The A to Z of transformation

By Dave Loudon, founder of DtL Creative. So, there we were, just working through a daily challenge when someone asks if there’s a simple, easy to understand guide to business transformation and innovation: a dummies guide; an A to Z, … Read more

Opinion: Social housing, the changing role of IT, and the benefits of having an effective IT/digital/technology strategy

By Chris Millborrow, DtL Creative Back in 2016 – in his Forbes article titled ‘The Changing Role of IT in the Future of Business’ – Daniel Newman argued that: “The modern IT worker is a tech-savvy innovator who creates change … Read more

‘Shocking gap in policy’ over energy efficiency in homes

A new report by the Climate Change Committee has found that “current strategy will not deliver Net Zero” and has called for radical changes. The Progress Report by the independent committee has also found major failures in delivery programmes towards the … Read more

Housing association reports ongoing IT system issues after ‘cyber security incident’

Clarion Housing Group has reported that it is facing ongoing issues to its IT systems after it experienced a cyber security incident recently. In a statement, the organisation said this has led to “some of our emails, IT systems and … Read more

HQN announces new partnership with Blacklight Software

HQN is pleased to announce a new partnership with Microsoft Gold Partner and integration specialist, Blacklight Software, which will work to support members with their IT and digital transformation journey. The collaboration means Blacklight will offer its leading software solutions … Read more

Housing’s Next Generation 2022: Top 20 announced

Back for its third year, our Housing’s Next Generation competition attracted entries from all over the sector, from housing associations and local authorities to supply chain partners and housing co-operatives. The judges looked at several criteria when shortlisting, including showing … Read more

New partnership to deliver ‘fresh approach to social housing repairs’

A new partnership is delivering a fresh approach to social housing repairs thanks to the UK’s first smart collection points. GreenSquareAccord has partnered with Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) to launch its first smart collection point, giving operatives round-the-clock access to … Read more

Golden Lane becomes first ‘stand-alone housing association for people with a learning disability or autism’

Golden Lane Housing (GLH) has become the first stand-alone housing association for people with a learning disability or autism, following a demerger from Mencap. The move will see both organisations entering an exciting new partnership arrangement that supports new housing solutions and … Read more

Housing association announces new health partnerships

Grand Union Housing Group has announced it is to be work with regional public health teams across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes to “create a blueprint for a new way of working between health and housing”. The approach is … Read more

Residents get digital tools to have say on local developments

Members of the public will be able to use “innovative new technology” to have a greater say in shaping and regenerating their communities, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has said. Over £3.25m from the Proptech Engagement Fund … Read more

Opinion: How our new initiative aims to highlight those most at risk from fire

By Yusuf Muhammad, co-founder and chief design officer at Plumis Knowledge of how people live in their homes is crucial to help ensure housing providers choose the right approach to best protect those at greatest risk from fire-related injury or fatality. … Read more

Opinion: What do we mean by professionalism?

HQN Associate Emma Lindley teases out some questions for government about its recent announcement of a review, in this article first published in the March 2022 issue of Housing Quality Magazine. The recent announcement by the Department for Housing (I can’t … Read more

Opinion: Is it time to consider whether digital services in social housing are human enough?

Brendan Sarsfield, former CEO of Peabody housing association and strategic advisor at NEC Software Solutions, explores how it’s not just access to technology that’s the barrier to digital inclusion. Improving digital dialogue Social housing tenants represent a broad spectrum of society and … Read more

‘Deep retrofit’ for hundreds of West Midlands homes

An additional 300 homes across Coventry and Solihull are to be retrofitted with super-efficient insulation and low-carbon heating technology. The move is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) plans to tackle climate change. Homes in Elmdon, Solihull, and … Read more

Opinion: The key trends set to influence transformation across social housing

By Paul Taylor, Innovation Coach at Bromford We’ve never been under so much pressure to transform, to innovate, to cut costs and create new customer value. The pandemic has been an accelerant of most things. Any trend: social, business, or … Read more

Housing’s Next Generation 2022: Nominate now

Giving young diverse housing professionals a voice HQN is delighted to announce the return of Housing’s Next Generation – the annual competition designed to showcase and celebrate the brightest young talent working in housing. Entries for the 2022 competition are open … Read more

New Housing Minister announced as Pincher reshuffled

Stuart Andrew has been appointed as Housing Minister by Boris Johnson in the latest reshuffle. It comes as Christopher Pincher looks to take a more senior role in the Prime Minister’s team. Pincher was in the role two years, the … Read more

New report finds that automation could take 1.1 million social housing residents’ jobs

More than 60% of social housing residents are in jobs at high risk from automation, a major new report warns. Social Security: Automation and economic security among England’s social renters is authored by the RSA and has been developed in partnership … Read more

Opinion: Housing and technology — the year ahead

By Kate Lindley, Service Lead for Digital and Data for Socitm Advisory. 2021 was a year of challenge and choices across the sector – from managing the impact of the pandemic, rising costs, and feeling the impacts of ‘the great … Read more