HACT has launched an updated version of the UK Housing Data Standards, which it says will play a “critical role” in building safety.
The social housing innovation agency published Version 3.3 of the UK Housing Data Standards earlier this week, after concluding a development process with OSCRE and 17 other organisations – including B3Living, CHP, Gentoo, Home Group, Hyde, L&Q, Lewisham Homes, Linc Cymru, Peabody, Thirteen Group, and Yorkshire Housing.
“This latest version of the UK Housing Data Standards will play a critical role in building safety, ensuring data consistency across every social housing building from architect’s design to resident’s home,” said Rob Wray, chief innovation officer, HACT.
The value and importance of the standards have been recognised by Dame Judith Hackitt, chair of the Industry Safety Steering Group (ISSG).
“The UK Housing Data Standards will enable organisations to keep information about the way homes are constructed and how they meet the compliance regime in an accessible way that can be shared with residents and contractors alike,” said Hackitt in a letter to HACT, following its representation to the ISSG.
“We welcome the fact that HACT has been proactively leading the way on developing the golden thread.”
Wray added: “The government’s White Paper highlights the importance of building safety – the UK Housing Data Standards provides the formative strand of every building’s digital golden thread.”
HACT says over 1,000 organisations have downloaded the data standards, ranging from the leading G15 housing associations to smaller, local organisations.
Andrew van Doorn, chief executive of HACT, said: “As the accountable body for regulation and effective governance, housing association boards need assurances that the data underpinning the measurement of performance around resident engagement and feedback is robust and consistently expressed.
“Without data standards, there is a risk that gaps in assurances will emerge.
“Data standards not only enable boards to have confidence in the data that they are using to assure the regulator, but also to aid transparency and scrutiny by their tenants.”
Version 1.0 of the data standards included the voids and allocation process, and core customer data.
Version 2.0 of the data standards included reactive repairs, while Version 3.2 included care and support, asset maintenance, and income and service collection – all of which are included within version 3.3 of the UK Housing Data Standards.
“We were pleased to hear that resident feedback will be a centrepiece for the next release of the UKHDS,” said Dame Judith Hackitt.
“I was clear in my review that the people who matter most in all of this are residents – who must be safe and feel safe in their homes.
“We welcome seeing resident feedback front and centre of this work.”
Image: BEST-BACKGROUNDS/Shutterstock
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