This interview is part of our three-part piece on Women in Housing. You can find the background information to these interviews in our ‘Women in
Category: Innovation
Interview with Jenny Danson
This interview is part of our three-part piece on Women in Housing. You can find the background information to these interviews in our ‘Women in
Interview with Aileen Evans
This is part of our WISH series of innovative women in housing. This interview features Aileen Evans, CEO of Grand Union Housing, who gives us
Data Quality is not optional, but it shouldn’t be hard work either
Matt Jollands has worked in and around social housing for the best part of a decade, and through discussion with peers, observations of the industry and current discussions sector wide he believes that there is an issue with data in UK social housing.
Housing Associations love to talk about being ‘data driven’, but if we’re honest, in most circumstances the data that drives decisions, allows performance management and benchmarking, and ultimately could help to improve the service that tenants receive is patchy at best, and unusable at worst.
In this article Matt explores the sector’s challenges with data, and urges it to really, really, acknowledge its importance and potential.
Orbit pledges commitment to social suppliers with the launch of a new procurement platform
A new, innovative open access procurement platform has been launched by Orbit and Supply Change – a social procurement provider – to connect suppliers and buyers to deliver commercial value and social impact.
The new Social Supplier Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) allows buyers to source goods and services from suppliers who can deliver a quality service and a positive impact, such as social enterprises, charities and sheltered workshops.
Should we own stuff?
A lot of people own a lot of things, from socks to mugs, to phones to sofas. But, is owning lots of stuff something that is still fit for the 21st century and beyond?
Caroline Duvier asks this while thinking about reusing stuff, furniture poverty, offering the option of a furnished tenancy in social housing, and much more in this article!
2021: A Home Odyssey
In this article Dr Gaby Wolferink looks back to 2020 and what she feels should be the key lessons to be brought into 2021 and beyond.
It ended up a story of privilege and a call to action for tech providers, architects and social housing providers to start building homes fit to harbour someone in a pandemic, in safety, instead of being yet another concern.
Duo-living: A different approach to the housing crisis from the Netherlands
Stichting Statiegeld op Jeugd is a Dutch initiative that is seeking to combat the housing crisis in the Netherlands. They do so by proposing a housing ‘format’ where existing homes, mostly occupied by ’empty nesters’ are split up into two homes, allowing the older generation to stay in their own homes AND create more social housing out of existing properties!
Innovation isn’t Rocket Science
We always think of innovation as being ‘digital’, ‘technology’, ‘shiny’ and combining this into ‘groundbreaking’ stuff, like rocket science…
But, just because rocket science is innovation, innovation isn’t rocket science. Too often we see ‘digital’ and ‘technology’ as the goal, rather than improving people’s lives.
Social Housing White Paper – An environmental angle by Suss Housing
Suss Housing have created ‘SHIFT’; a sustainability standard for the housing sector.
It is an independent assessment and accreditation scheme that demonstrates organisations are delivering against challenging environmental targets. They have kindly shared their view on the Social Housing White Paper from an environmental angle.
Language Matters: It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it…
We use language every day, in everything we do. Whether it’s spoken, written, signed or even drawn. It’s how we communicate, and, as recipients get an idea of what people think of us. That’s why language matters in social housing.
Sustainability in Social Housing
Can you define sustainability? It is one of the most confusing words of our time, and also one of the most important ones – if
Invisible Creations® and their Journey to Design for Dignity™
By: Ashleigh Powney @inviscreations Our Journey to Design for Dignity™ Invisible Creations® is challenging stereotypes and negative stigmas around ageing and disability by producing attractive
Pride and edifice: a pioneering architect’s conflict
By: Jessica Brown @Jessica_E_Brown First published: Stories to Sit With – Independent, in-depth journalism When your social housing legacy is left to the forces of
Come Dine With Me – And Other Ways to Create Great Partnerships
By Caroline Duvier @Caroline_Duvier I would argue that the social housing sector is one of the most important public service sectors in the UK, if
Thinking, on Poverty
This article reflects on how behavioural insights can contribute to better designed financial interventions for low income tenants. This encourages a shift away from seeing poverty as reflective of character flaws to a focus on the context of poverty.