Core Telecom explores how its SMS Direct platform can help housing associations overcome communication challenges through efficient and cost-effective messaging solutions
Housing associations play a crucial role in providing affordable housing and fostering strong communities. However, effective communication remains a challenge due to the diverse needs of tenants, staff, and stakeholders.
From ensuring tenants are informed about important updates, to engaging with them in real time, these organisations need reliable and cost-effective solutions.
SMS communication offers a practical and efficient way to bridge these gaps, delivering messages directly to tenants’ mobile devices. Whether for urgent notifications, payment reminders, or community updates, SMS ensures timely and accessible communication.
With this in mind, Core Telecom developed SMS Direct – a platform tailored specifically to the needs of housing associations.
How SMS Direct can support Housing Associations
Efficient communication with tenants
SMS Direct enables housing associations to send mass messages instantly, ensuring tenants stay informed about important updates such as rent reminders, maintenance schedules, or emergency notifications.
Two-way messaging for real-time engagement
Unlike one-way SMS systems, SMS Direct supports two-way messaging, allowing tenants to respond directly to messages. This feature is ideal for collecting feedback, confirming appointments, or addressing tenant queries in real time.
Personalised messaging at scale
Using dynamic fields, SMS Direct lets housing associations personalise messages with tenant-specific details like names or property addresses. This approach increases engagement and fosters a stronger sense of connection with recipients.
Data security and compliance
Housing associations handle sensitive tenant data, making security paramount. SMS Direct is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring robust encryption and compliance with data protection regulations, so tenant information remains secure.
Track message impact
SMS Direct includes URL tracking, which lets housing associations monitor tenant engagement with embedded links in their messages. This feature provides actionable insights into campaign effectiveness, helping associations refine their communication strategies.
Real-life applications
Housing associations manage diverse responsibilities, from ensuring timely communication about essential services to fostering a sense of community among tenants. SMS Direct provides a versatile platform to streamline these efforts in several impactful ways:
- Maintenance Alerts: Notify tenants about upcoming inspections, repairs, or service interruptions
- Payment Reminders: Reduce late payments by sending automated rent reminders
- Community Updates: Share newsletters, event details, or policy changes directly via SMS
- Emergency Notifications: Quickly alert tenants about critical situations like severe weather or building emergencies
- Survey & Feedback Collection: Use two-way messaging to collect tenant opinions on services and areas for improvement
Community-focused benefits
Core Telecom is a global telecommunications network provider, currently supporting over 500 UK charities and non-for-profit organisations providing them with a 100% free of charge 03 Number service.
This means no rental costs and more importantly no incoming call charges.
Core Telecom is committed to supporting housing associations, and also offers:
- Substantial discounts on SMS services, helping associations stay within tight budgets
- A platform designed to maximise affordability without compromising quality, making it ideal for housing associations with limited resources
Why choose SMS Direct?
Housing associations benefit from Core Telecom’s industry-leading affordability, advanced features, and dedication to supporting nonprofits. Partnering with leading wholesale SMS providers, Core Telecom ensures housing associations get reliable, low-cost communication solutions to enhance tenant relationships and operational efficiency.
Let Core Telecom help your housing association save on telecommunication costs so you can allocate more resources to your primary mission of providing secure and affordable housing.
Discover how SMS Direct can transform your housing association’s communication strategy. Contact Bhavika Gammon at 0113 468 7479 or sms@coretelecom.co.uk for a free demo of our SMS platform.
Main image credit: jittawit21/Shutterstock
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