Day two of our Disruption and Innovation in Housing in the Devolved Nations (DIN) event on 16 November, focuses on the technological innovations that can help build better communities for the future. Here, we uncover some solutions and what’ll you uncover at the event to make a difference to the lives of your customers.
When Covid-19 cases began to rise and the country went into lockdown, offices shut and employees, armed with a laptop, went home. Those in school and college had to start learning online and quiz nights with loved ones became the new way to socialise.
Being able to have access to digital channels and connectivity helped to keep us safe and connected throughout the pandemic. Yet, according to figures published by Inside Housing, around 11 million people in the UK are digitally excluded and this will only exacerbate existing inequalities, particularly as we begin to see a seismic shift of job opportunities becoming fully remote moving forward, along with services.
Social landlords have a role to play to ensure their customers and communities are physically, socially and digitally connected to overcome these barriers. To do this, landlords will need to understand where the specific challenges are. Is there an inequality due to digital literacy or is there limited digital infrastructure and connectivity? On the second day of our DIN event, Andrew Neilson Head of the developer relationship team/New sites at Openreach will explore how digital infrastructure can be future proofed to ensure it is inclusive for all.
AI to design regenerative communities
Not only do social landlords need to consider what foundations communities need going forward but utilising technology can also inspire innovative ways to create a better quality of life. Through artificial intelligence and machine learning, communities can be radically transformed to be self-sufficient to produce their own water and food, renewable energy and manage waste.
This has been shown through ReGenVillages, a company that creates resilient neighbourhoods for the future. The vision of ReGenVillages is to create neighbourhoods that will generate their own power and grow their own food. The idea of being self-sufficient and being able to pop out into a kitchen garden for fresh produce may seem like a utopian dream for many but it’s becoming more of a reality!
Discover more about this exciting concept from James Ehrlich, founder of ReGen Villages who will also be speaking at our DIN event and sharing insight into – designing regenerative, technology-based communities, how communities of the future might look and feel, along with what risks and opportunities need to be considered if these communities are to be created successfully.
Smart Homes and IoT in Housing
The Internet of Things (IoT), the network of connected home devices by the internet, such as heaters, boilers, and fridges, has a wealth of benefits for social landlords and their residents. Landlords can utilise this technology to help with asset management, as receiving accurate information on the state of their housing, providers are able to carry out repairs effectively and efficiently.
Repairs have been thrown under the spotlight on the back of recent media coverage from ITV which highlighted the state of repairs in some social housing properties, along with the Social Housing Whitepaper which sets out to give tenants more transparency around this. Now more than ever, innovative ways to help manage repairs are needed.
Smart sensors measuring humidity and temperature can give residents proactive advice to improve ventilation in the property when necessary. IoT can ultimately help to reduce fuel poverty, carbon emissions and improve living conditions to create healthier and more liveable homes.
IoT also helps to keep residents safe, as fire door safety devices and remote smoke alarm testing can streamline compliance checks. Extra protection can be given to homes through smart locks as residents can be granted access remotely and welfare checks can be done on residents if a concern is raised. Discover how Mid Wales Housing Association are using this technology to help look after their residents.
At the DIN event, Dane Ralston, Managing Director of iOpti, will provide insight and advice on how to incorporate IoT into your daily operations to improve the management and maintenance of your properties and help improve the lives of your tenants.
There’s unlimited potential when you begin to uncover the power of data and tech within your business and how it can really make a difference to the lives of your customers. If you want to be a disruptor and an innovative organisation leading the way for social housing, don’t miss out on our DIN event.
Tickets are now available for our two day event starting from £139+ VAT. Secure yours today here or by contacting monika.edwards@housemark.co.uk. Ticket bundles for two or more delegates are available at preferential rates.