Less than half of housing providers are prepared for a surge in demand for social housing, despite almost two-thirds expecting the need for social housing to increase, according to a recent survey from Capita Software Services.
The survey of housing managers, operations managers and IT managers, carried out during the Chartered Institute of Housing and Capita Housing conferences earlier this year found that 42 per cent of respondents were actually ready for a surge in demand alongside 60 per cent who thought that demand would increase.
Lengthening waiting lists for housing were cited (64 per cent) as one of the main impacts on housing providers’ productivity and customer services. In many cases, declines in service quality was attributable to old and inefficient software and increased pressure on human resources. At the same time, 92 per cent of respondents thought that technology would have a significant role ‘in delivering the biggest social housing programme since the 1950s’.
Roger Birkinshaw, housing director, Capita Software Services, said, ”We expect IT to be a key contributor to the success of social housing providers, helping to ensure service levels are maintained. There will be an increased strain on resources in future as more and more people find themselves in need of social housing. Our survey has shown that housing providers believe technology will help them meet this need.”
In light of the recent focus on transparency in public life, such as MPs’ expenses and BBC salaries, the Capita report found that just over half (51 per cent) of the respondents thought that the salaries of all public-sector staff should be made public.
