Tom Robins, CEO of social housing data and insights specialist Switchee, reflects on the company’s inaugural summit, where housing professionals gathered to confront some of the most pressing issues facing social housing providers and tenants today
At our recent Switchee Summit 2023, leaders from the world of social housing came together to explore solutions to the greatest challenges experienced by those in the sector. More than 160 people, including academics, local government representatives, technology providers, and housing associations, gathered at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley to discuss key issues such as mould, the cost-of-living crisis, tenant wellbeing, and the drive towards net-zero.
A desire to unite to build a better future for residents was evident very early on at this inaugural event. The wide range of insight and thinking from individuals committed to address the challenges faced by so many, led to thought-provoking discussions.
Fighting damp and mould
We are all too aware of the problem of damp and mould in social housing and its impact on residents’ health. Switchee data shows that 40% of all social housing homes are at high risk of having, or developing, condensation, damp and mould.
Unsurprisingly, the issue received considerable attention during the Summit. The overriding consensus was that social housing providers taking responsibility for damp and mould is the first and most important step in addressing the problem.
The challenge can, however, involve multiple factors. There are social factors, such as the shame associated with living in a damp home that prevents tenants from speaking up, and then there is the performance of properties, which can be identified with internet-connected devices and data. Discussions during the summit concluded that it is no longer acceptable not to know the latter and that social housing providers must take ownership of the situation.
Tackling fuel poverty
Another major issue discussed was the energy price hikes and cost-of-living crisis. As these continue to impact households’ resources, people have become increasingly reluctant to turn on their heating – worse still, some face an impossible choice between eating or heating.
Data collected across 10,000 homes with a Switchee device, demonstrates a marked change in resident behaviour, and with it a greater risk of fuel poverty, because of the energy price hikes. Over a year, Switchee data showed that residents heated their homes for an hour a day less than they previously had and turned their thermostats down by an average of 2.33oC. Homes are now colder for longer.
This change in behaviour not only puts homes at higher risk of developing issues like condensation, damp and mould but it also puts resident health and wellbeing at greater risk. We know that homes at high risk of condensation, damp and mould, are also likely to be in fuel poverty.
It’s estimated that 7.5m UK households are now in fuel poverty. Switchee data shows that the proportion of social homes where the temperature is now consistently below 18oC, which is classed as fuel poverty, has increased by 60% this in across 2022 to 20223. That’s half a million more social homes now in fuel poverty.
The consequences can be serious, especially for residents with health problems. Take somebody who goes into hospital with chest issues. If when they’re discharged, they’re going back into a home that’s 12oC to 13oC, they’ll likely be back in hospital in no time.
One exciting discussion therefore at the Summit was around the Warm Home Prescription pilots being run by Energy Systems Catapult and the NHS. Vulnerable people on a low income, and with health conditions exacerbated by the cold, have their energy bills paid over winter. Results to date have been extremely positive, and more trials are taking place across England and Scotland.
A case study was shared by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, who are installing Switchee devices to help reduce fuel poverty and increase energy efficiency among residents. The devices themselves help residents save up to 17% on their heating bills and installations are taking place alongside resident information campaigns, which have saved residents £12,000 to date.
Installations are ongoing, but there has been a 97% response rate from residents and nearly 200 requests for help and advice related to energy saving and warm homes discount, £10,000 in energy savings and £2,100 funding accessed for residents.
“Despite the challenges, there is both a positivity and a commitment that the sector can and will do better”
Through the Switchee smart device, data points such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, and light are collected to help the council build a real-time picture of how a property is performing and how residents are interacting with that building. Via an advanced analytics dashboard, it proactively identifies properties at risk of condensation, damp or mould and flags potential fuel poverty.
When a home has been flagged as being at risk of fuel poverty, the data can be analysed on a case-by-case basis. Armed with this data, the council can proactively communicate with residents to see how they can be supported.
Another focal point of the day was the CEO Fireside session, involving housing association heads and the NEA. The panel concluded that the start of the solution is data and people. Participants agreed that real-time data is vital to making decisions based on facts and evidence and not assumption. They also agreed that partnering and sharing insight with other service providers will help change people’s lives for the better.
Discussions at the Switchee Summit made it very clear that the social housing sector is committed to Internet of Things (IoT) innovations to overcome today’s problems. Despite the challenges, there is both a positivity and a commitment that the sector can and will do better.
Social housing leaders are beginning to embrace the technology and data that will enable them to have a solid understanding of the performance of their services to create a better future for residents.
Switchee is a Housing Digital Stakeholder that seeks to make maintaining properties simple and straight forward with remote tools that allow the user to check a property’s condition, analyse problems, and schedule fixes.
Main image: Switchee CEO Tom Robins speaking at the inaugural Switchee Summit
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