Like many sectors in the public domain, the UK Social Housing sector grapples with a series of pivotal IT challenges that are reshaping the landscape of future service delivery as they try to balance the regulatory challenges that are being placed on them by the UK government and the housing regulator. With our extensive experience in the housing sector, we've identified what we feel are the top five challenges currently facing housing from an IT perspective.
Disparate Systems: remain a critical factor in the operational efficiency of housing with the reliance on these embedded systems that have held subsets of data and not really held a fully joined-up view of all housing assets and tenant records. These disparate systems are being asked to hold the service position and the record of what is happening, but many are standalone and on old hardware and technology with limited integration capabilities with modern technology, thus hindering digital transformation efforts and self-service for tenants.
Resource Constraints: Based on the plethora of different systems and technologies that drive a diverse set of required skills, some of those skills are in short supply and high demand and drive increased resource costs. Resource limitations are a well-known hurdle for most organisations, but in social housing, the recruitment process can be particularly challenging especially, in city centre organisations where the skills being recruited attract significantly high salaries and social housing is struggling to compete to attract and retain top talent. Thi coupled with operating within tight IT budgets necessitates a careful balance between maintaining day-to-day operations and driving innovation.
Cybersecurity Threats: Public sector entities as a sector are prime targets for cyberattacks, and social housing is no exception. Robust cybersecurity measures are imperative to safeguard against data breaches and ransomware attacks. Such attacks can have devastating consequences in terms of business disruption, security, and reputation damage. In many cases especially in smaller housing organisations the team is not big enough and therefore the dillema of sharing security with other tasks sis evident evident
Integration of Services: Achieving the seamless integration of housing services with other public sector functions, such as healthcare, social services, and education, is vital for providing comprehensive support to residents. However, this integration can be intricate. Technology should facilitate this integration, promoting a more cohesive approach to operations and reducing inefficiencies.
Digital Inclusion: Ensuring universal access to digital services for all tenanats presents a significant challenge. Some tenants may lack the necessary technology or digital literacy skills to engage effectively with online housing services. The strategic placement of tenant communications can be time-consuming and costly, with mistakes potentially denying tenants access to vital information.
These IT challenges are prevalent across the public sector, and the housing industry is no exception. Often, the default approach is to engage external consultants, which can strain budgets and frequently result in recommendations that were already apparent. Furthermore, consultants tend to depart after their work is done, leaving organizations to restart the process for subsequent initiatives.
In response to these challenges, CoPerceptuo has developed a platform that automates tasks typically handled by consultants. This platform offers a faster, more efficient way to implement organizational changes while retaining control and visibility over your data.
If you're a digital leader within a housing organization grappling with budget constraints and the need for operational transformation, we invite you to get in touch with CoPerceptuo. Discover how partnering with us can revolutionize your decision-making processes, ensuring a more agile and cost-effective approach to achieving your business objectives.