2023 WINNERS
Congratulations to the winners of the Housing Digital Innovation Awards 2023
BEST Asset Management Innovation
Sponsored by
Aico|HomeLINK
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This is fantastic example of an organisation transforming their service delivery through the adoption of IoT and data. Also to give credit to their agile project delivery approach - starting with the deployment of Fire and CO detectors, moving into other environmental data monitoring such as damp/mould."
SHORTLIST:
- Cadline
- Plexus Innovation
- Aico|HomeLINK
BEST Use of an Emerging Technology in Housebuilding
Sponsored by
Midland Heart
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This is an amazing project which fully addresses the use of various emerging technologies and sets the bar for homes that model the Future Homes Standard. Love the customer app! "
SHORTLIST:
- Beattie Passive
- Midland Heart
- Operance
BEST Repairs & Maintenance Innovation
Sponsored by
Plentific
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This is an innovation which is clearly having an impact in improving general maintenance, at scale, across the social housing sector. They particularly like the fact it really considers the occupant and carbon reduction."
GreenSquareAccord and Jewson
SHORTLIST:
- FaultFixers
- GreenSquareAccord and Jewson
- Mobysoft
- Platform Housing Group
- Plentific
- TCW
- Voicescape
BEST Fire Safety Innovation
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This is a fantastic solution for connecting key partners and customers for information sharing and fire management. A great example of how to communicate business critical information securely, effectively and efficiently across key stakeholders to improve information flow and improve the chances of a successful outcome."
C-TEC
SHORTLIST:
- Aico | HomeLINK
- C-TEC
- i-Mist Ltd
- ONE Engage
- Operance
- Plumis
- Solihull Community Housing
MOST INNOVATIVE Retrofit/Refurbishment Scheme
Sponsored by
SHDF Demonstrator Project, Northampton Partnership Homes
THE JUDGES SAID:
"It was great to see a project taking a fabric first and deep retrofit approach to decarbonisation at scale. A job well done with sound numbers around carbon reduction, a practical and successful energy driven retrofit at real scale."
SHORTLIST:
- Greenleaf Road, Aston Group
- High Heat Retention Storage Heater Project, Moat
- SHDF Demonstrator Project, Northampton Partnership Homes
- Solar Panel Retrofit Programme, The Wrekin Housing Group
- The Adamson Court Deep Retrofit Project, Bioregional and Places for People
BEST SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This is a great innovation that is clearly effective in recording data to monitor energy usage, and is a great contribution to the wider decarbonisation agenda."
SHORTLIST:
- Data Energy
- Flutter Shutter / Livv Housing Group
- Hastoe Housing Association
- Orbit Group
- Raven Housing Trust
MOST INNOVATIVE FINANCE MODEL
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"ARA Venn demonstrated strong partnership results and customer testimonials - helping organisations secure much needed and subsidised funding for affordable housing during tough economic times."
SHORTLIST:
- ARA Venn
- Octopus Real Estate
MOST INNOVATIVE FINACIAL SUPPORT SCHEME
Sponsored by
Housing21
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This was a comprehensive service providing advice as well as targeted financial support. Housing 21 are doing everything possible to help those in our communities most in need and worst affected by the cost of living crisis while also innovating by bringing in new digital contact channels."
SHORTLIST:
- A2Dominion
- Housing21
- Tameside Citizens Advice Bureau
MOST INNOVATIVE Support/Care Service
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This was a fantastic integration of new technology in building design."
SHORTLIST:
- Greatwell Homes
- Northampton Partnership Homes
- Sunderland City Council
BEST DIGITAL EXPERIENCE (REGISTERED PROVIDERS)
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Using Hotjar to gain insight clearly informed how the website has been structured to meet the needs of its users. The website has clearly improved user experience and the dual approach of resident engagement and analytic tools is commendable."
SHORTLIST:
- Stockport Homes Group
- Wheatley Group
BEST DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"It was good to see that Raven’s strategy was focussed on customer experience as well as digital innovation. A really good ground up and integrated approach, with combinations of colleague, stakeholder and customer benefits."
SHORTLIST:
- Britannic Technologies
- EDAROTH
- Estuary Housing Association
- Jewson Partnership Solutions
- Newlon Housing Trust
- Raven Housing Trust
- Target Housing
- Your Housing Group
MOST INNOVATIVE NEW BUILD
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This is an outstanding innovation. A volumetric off-site construction with social value. Fantastic to see a new build that is net zero, as well as healthy, environmentally friendly, and a great example of Modern Methods of Construction."
SHORTLIST:
- HAFAN, Ferry Road – Beattie Passive
- Mendip View – Stonewater
- Project80 – Tricas Construction
BEST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE INNOVATION (SUPPLIERS)
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Putting the power into the hands of residents so they can reduce fuel bills is a great customer experience innovation! "
SHORTLIST:
- Clixifix
- Kurve Technologies
- Manifest Software Solutions
- VerseOne Group
MOST INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO TENANT COMMUNICATIONS
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This was an excellent example of the use of nudge theory alongside technology and the positive impacts this can have on customers. Great use of automation with clear benefits outlined with some good personal stories in the submission".
SHORTLIST:
- Lincolnshire Housing Partnership and FourNet
- ONE Engage
- Voicescape
- Wheatley Group
MOST INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CULTURE & WELLBEING
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Over 90% staff satisfaction is impressive and this was a multiprong approach which addresses physical and mental wellbeing as well as recognising the specific local issues."
SHORTLIST:
- Blackpool Coastal Housing
- Fairhive Homes Ltd
- Housing21
- Stonewater
MOST INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP
THE JUDGES SAID:
"This partnership has resulted in a self-sustaining business model in Cook for Good, as Peabody has enabled them to grow their own revenue stream - critical for longer term viability. A fantastic partnership with continued proven results year-on-year - and never more needed than now!"
SHORTLIST:
- Active Housing and Southern Housing Group
- GreenSquareAccord and Jewson
- Hastoe Housing Association and SouthGen
- Peabody and Cook for Good
- Tunstall Healthcare (UK) Ltd and Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
- West Kent Housing Association and Anderson Group
Most Innovative PRODUCT (HARDWARE)
THE JUDGES SAID:
"An exciting solar panel product that would really help to reduce bills for people living in apartment blocks."
SHORTLIST:
- ICON – Switch2 Energy
- SEVEN – Chiptech
- SolShare – Allume Energy
MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT (SOFTWARE)
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Voicescape have gone one step further than the other leading technology providers in arrears management by automatic the process until the human touch is required. Developed in partnership with a customer, Caseload Manager has improved arrears collection and reduced the amount of time spent on chasing arrears."
SHORTLIST:
- CalQRisk
- Caseload Manager (CM) – Voicescape
- Digital Tendency Onboarding Solution – VerseOne
- DynamicAIM – Cadline
- In-house Data Quality Tool – Platform Housing Group
- Operance
- Property Inspections – Plentific
- Property Raptor
- The HomeLINK App – Aico
- The MMC Market – KOPE and Cast Conaultancy
MOST INNOVATIVE Supplier
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Plexus displayed innovation that is helping improve service, as well as health and safety and environmental performance. A great example of an SME innovation company making an impact in the sector."
SHORTLIST:
- Alertacall
- FLS – FAST LEAN SMART
- Insite Energy
- KeyNest
- Plexus Innovation
MOST INNOVATIVE CONTRACTOR
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Data Energy’s development of bespoke solutions to reduce energy costs is an excellent example of how data is being used not only to reduce carbon emissions, but also to save residents money in the process."
SHORTLIST:
- AJC Group
- Data Energy
- Liberty
- Sure Maintenance Ltd
- Ventro
Most Innovative CONSULTANCY
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Operance’s BIM digital toolkit is a welcomed service, benefitting the sector as a whole for free, especially for clients for whom BIM is too unwieldly. An innovative consultancy operating model."
SHORTLIST:
- 3C Consultants Ltd
- Echelon Consultancy
- One Consultancy
- Operance
BEST TECHNOLOGY PARTNER
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Plentific are delivering measurable results for customers. The marketplace tool is a great idea to bring into social housing what is happening in the private sector and is clearly driving service improvements, with repair times coming down as a result - which will be welcomed across the sector!"
SHORTLIST:
- Active Housing by Hallnet
- Mobysoft
- Plentific
- Property Raptor
- ROCC
- Tunstall Healthcare (UK)
- VerseOne Group
- Viewber
- Voicescape
BEST DIGITAL INNOVATION TEAM
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"It was great to see the collaboration between the business and technology, driving the agenda forwards and bringing together multiple company departments to create a dedicated working team. Moving from paper to digital is hard and Origin should be commended for being needs-led with a focus on operational improvements."
SHORTLIST:
- Estuary Housing Association
- Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
- Orbit Group
- Origin
- Wheatley Group
YOUNG INNOVATOR
Sponsored by
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Sam has shown how obtaining feedback from all users and building that into product development can result in a great app. Excellent work always putting the customer first and thinking about the user experience before the technical solution. A great example of an individual who is both innovative and inspiring!"
SHORTLIST:
- Sam Bunyan – Switchee
- Soni Pius – Falkirk Council
INNOVATION CHAMPION
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Tom is clearly an inspirational leader and champion of innovation, driving a culture of creativity, not just at Switchee, but across the housing sector. An Innovative and pioneering approach which other business leaders could learn from"
SHORTLIST:
- Anne Taylor, Thorngate Churcher Trust
- Johnny Furlong, L&Q
- Scott Pilgrim, Operance
- Tom Robins, Switchee
MOST INNOVATIVE HOUSING PROVIDER
THE JUDGES SAID:
"Sunderland City Council demonstrated a really good blend of support, technology and design and it was nice to see the potential of commercial tech being used for this purpose. A great example of incorporating technology into how they can support their residents now and also into the future."
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