National Database of Social Homes: Update
Three months ago, I wrote a blog with Kate Davies about the case for a single unified asset data source.
There is much support for a collaborative approach to a national database of social homes.
Just three months ago, Kate Davies and I [Steve Dungworth], published a blog making the case for a single unified asset data source. We argued that many smaller housing associations did not have the skills and capacity to respond to the calls to action to improve property data in the proposed Consumer Regulations, Better Social Housing Review, and Housing Ombudsman’s Spotlight Report on Knowledge and Information Systems.
We presented many other benefits, too. Please see our original blog.
Consultation Event
In February, we invited over thirty digital professionals to an event to discuss our campaign in more detail. 83% of those who attended agreed with the sentiment of our blog. But only just over half thought it was achievable in the current climate. Delegates said:
The discussion was enlightening, and the initiatives presented have significant potential to enhance the living conditions within social housing and streamline the operations of housing associations.
The challenge will be ‘herding the cats!’.
“A really positive event. All we need is political support and some money. Well done team!”
“A focus on sharing insight based on common data standards will be a great step forward.”
“Mandate for such a programme is the biggest challenge — will a competing initiative ever come out from regulator or govt body negating this approach.”
“Fabulous session — I think there are potentially lots of other valuable use cases than the ones you’ve mentioned — particularly around starting to consolidate the operating models (back office) x-sector!”
“This is very much needed in the sector having worked in the sector for over 25 years.”
We presented nine different use cases and the top three most popular were:
- A publication scheme (standards) for all Housing Associations to comply with the requirements of the Access to Information Scheme.
- Housing associations can provide and access data as part of their business intelligence portfolio to benchmark performance and collaborate with others.
- The Regulator of Social Housing and Housing Ombudsman can access tenant views and aggregated totals of housing associations for assurance.
Progress Made
Since we started this initiative, we have:
- Set up a small steering group who have met fortnightly and given their time freely to research, lobbying and clarifying the aims of the initiative.
- Instigated funding with three strands: grants; sector agencies; tech suppliers.
- Connected with several similar initiatives in and around DHLUC circles where there is a massive push on data development.
Every government department has been asked to consider data issues and to adopt the three core components of the Open Data Institute Manifesto:
- Regulators should make better use of Open Data.
- Improve data infrastructure and trust (data definitions and standards in key areas).
- Improve the provision of tech to public services and front-line workers.
Our engagement of the social housing agencies like NHF and RSH has so far been less successful. This is understandable as the focus on the “what” (consumer regulation) rather than the “how.” Next week, we will be sending a joint letter to the sector agencies urging them to come together to mandate action to implement a single solution.
Next Steps
We would like to thank everyone who has provided comments, support, and ideas. Our quest continues.
- We have recently acquired some much-needed help and support in managing comms.
- At some point soon, we will need to convert our steering group into a formal entity.
- We have three important meetings coming up with existing organisations who are already connected with the sector and wish to be major partners in the development of a national database of social homes.
Please keep your comments flowing…
This blog was also published at Update: National Database Of Social Homes | Golden Marzipan
