From AI-powered predictive analytics to IoT sensors and automated systems, Civica’s sales director, Mark Holdsworth, delves into the game-changing technologies set to transform maintenance and repairs in social housing.
The Labour Party’s ambitious plans to build 1.5 million homes, including a significant boost to social housing stock, present our sector with unprecedented opportunities and challenges.
Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, said, “We are facing the most acute housing crisis in living memory, with 150,000 children in temporary accommodation, nearly 1.3 million households on social housing waiting lists and under-30s less than half as likely to own their own home compared with the 1990s.”
However, as the government focuses on building new homes, those working in the social housing sector mustn’t lose sight of maintaining and improving their existing housing stock. Here, technology is set to play a pivotal role.
The Social Housing Act 2023 has laid the groundwork for a more professionalised, tenant-focused approach to housing management. Innovative technologies are poised to transform how we approach repairs and maintenance, creating smarter homes and happier tenants.
The IoT revolution
By embedding IoT sensors throughout properties and integrating them with the data in their housing management systems, housing providers can monitor everything from damp and mould to energy usage and appliance performance in real time. For example, our Cx Housing system already has built-in links to both Switchee and Daisy devices so that IoT data can be consumed and analysed on our platform.
Imagine a world where, thanks to IoT, a faulty boiler alerts the maintenance team despite the tenant not noticing a problem, or where damp is detected and addressed well before becoming a health hazard.
Real-world implementations are already showing the transformative potential of IoT. For example, Stirling Council has plans to install 50,000 smart devices over the next decade, making it one of the UK’s largest deployments of IoT sensors in social housing. The council’s initiative will provide its tenants with real-time data on their home environments and energy consumption through a free app.
The council reported that early trials had revealed high-risk indications of condensation-caused dampness and mould in some properties, highlighting how this technology can identify issues before they become serious problems. By providing data-driven insights, the system enables proactive maintenance and empowers tenants to manage their homes better, potentially reducing reactive repair calls and improving tenant satisfaction.
AI-informed decisions
While IoT provides the data, AI helps to make sense of it. AI algorithms can analyse patterns in maintenance data, predicting when repairs are likely to be needed and then optimising maintenance schedules.
This shift from reactive to predictive maintenance is a game-changer. It allows housing providers to move towards a more nuanced, needs-based approach instead of the old model of fixed schedules and emergency call-outs. Not only does this save time and money but it also ensures that resources are directed where they’re needed most.
Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms can comb tenant feedback and maintenance reports to spot recurrent issues and suggest systemic improvements. This data-driven approach to housing management aligns perfectly with the government’s push for more accountable, tenant-focused services.
Automation-driven efficiencies
One of the most exciting aspects of these technological advances is how they free up human resources. By automating routine checks and data collection, housing officers and maintenance staff can focus more on providing personalised, high-quality service to tenants.
This capability aligns with the Social Housing Act 2023, which emphasises the need for qualified, professional housing managers. They should also be ‘data savvy’ and know how to use the available technologies to achieve optimal results.
By using technology to handle routine tasks, we create space for housing professionals to engage more deeply with tenants, address complex issues and contribute to community building. This is technology’s true potential in social housing – not to replace human interaction but enhance it.
Going green
Sustainability must be a priority as we build and maintain social housing for the future. The government’s commitment to building on brownfield and greenfield sites presents challenges and maintenance opportunities.
Smart-home technologies can play a crucial role in making these new developments and existing properties more energy-efficient. From smart meters that help tenants manage their energy usage to AI-controlled heating systems for optimising energy consumption, technology can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of social housing.
Furthermore, these technologies can help housing providers meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations. For instance, IoT sensors can monitor air quality and energy efficiency, ensuring compliance with regulations and identifying areas for improvement.
Challenges and considerations
While the potential of these technologies is exciting, we must also be mindful of the challenges. Privacy, data security and digital exclusion are all areas that need to be carefully addressed when implementing these solutions.
And, as we automate more processes, we must ensure that we keep the human touch that is so fundamental to social housing. Technology should enhance, not replace, the relationship between housing providers and their tenants.
There’s also the question of cost. While these technologies can lead to significant savings in the long run, the initial investment can be large. Housing providers will need support from both the government and the private sector to make these upgrades feasible.
Building momentum
Technology will play a central role in the future of maintenance and repairs. Innovations, from IoT and AI to blockchain and smart energy systems, can transform how we maintain and manage social housing.
But technology alone is not the answer. It must be part of a holistic approach that puts tenants at the centre, aligns with regulatory requirements and supports the professional development of housing staff.
The government’s commitment to building more social housing presents an opportunity to embed these technologies from the ground up. As we build new homes on green-, brown- and grey-field sites, we can design them with smart technologies in mind, creating a new generation of sustainable, efficient social housing.
At the same time, we must remember our existing housing stock. Retrofitting older properties with new technologies will ensure that all tenants benefit from these advances.
The path ahead isn’t straightforward but it is exciting because the potential rewards are immense. By embracing technology in maintenance and repairs, we can create homes that are not just places to live but platforms for improving lives and building communities.
With the proper application of technology, we can ensure that it’s about providing smart, efficient and sustainable homes that support and empower tenants to thrive.
Mark Holdsworth is the sales director at Civica.
