Investment Implications of Digital Change in Social Housing

IoT Applications for Asset Management

The Internet of Things gets larger every day, redefining asset management in social housing through comprehensive monitoring solutions that offer tangible benefits for providers and tenants. For example, environmental sensors installed throughout properties can continuously collect critical data on indoor air quality, temperature, humidity and other health-affecting conditions. This information flows to centralised gateways, providing housing associations with complete oversight of conditions across their entire portfolio.

Early problem detection is one of the most valuable aspects of IoT implementation. Through wireless-connected sensors, issues like dampness can be identified and addressed before they escalate into costly remediation projects. The technology extends beyond environmental monitoring to enhance security, such as remotely viewable cameras and smart locks improving safety while reducing incident response times.

For tenants, IoT creates a living environment digitally empowered through personalised data access. Residents can monitor their own energy consumption patterns or track humidity levels that might lead to mould formation. This can help save money, create better relationships with housing providers and support sustainable practices.

Perhaps most significantly, the use of IoT can positively impact the digital divide affecting social housing communities. With over half the UK population unable to afford average monthly broadband bills and 2.5 million people behind on payments, integrated wireless technologies can bridge this connectivity gap while simultaneously generating valuable property management insights.

The most advanced implementations integrate these capabilities into comprehensive platforms that streamline field operations, facilitate device connectivity, and enable secure tenant access to digital services – ultimately creating smarter, safer and more inclusive communities.

Data Analytics for Tenant Satisfaction and Void Management

The financial burden of void properties on the social housing sector is staggering. Recent research from Housemark reveals that approximately 300,000 social housing properties became void in 2023/24, costing the sector a massive £1.6 billion in repairs, lettings, and lost rent. Of this sum, over £1.1 billion was spent solely on void repairs, with an additional £220 million allocated to placing new tenants.

Re-let timeframes have deteriorated significantly in recent years. The average turnaround time for all empty properties is 74 days, while standard voids without major repairs take around 50 days to re-let. This represents a concerning decline from five years ago, when the average was below 30 days, directly impacting rental income and operational efficiency.

The challenges facing the sector include:

• Longer turnaround times and higher vacancy rates for landlords operating across multiple local authority areas

• Growing trend of stock rationalisation as landlords consolidate portfolios through swaps and disposals

• Increasing complexity around allocations contributing to extended void periods

Tenant satisfaction metrics also highlight areas for improvement. According to the Regulator of Social Housing, overall satisfaction among tenants in low-cost rental accommodation has dropped to around 70%, a decline of roughly 5% since 2020. Satisfaction is markedly lower among shared owners, with fewer than half reporting a positive experience. In addition, just over half of all residents feel their landlord listens to their views and acts on them, highlighting the need for stronger engagement and communication.

Digital tools have proven highly effective in addressing these challenges:

• Data-driven allocation systems have reduced void periods for many housing associations

• Predictive analytics help identify factors contributing to tenant satisfaction, leading to better allocation decisions

• Digital consultation platforms significantly boost engagement, as demonstrated by Birmingham City Council's Druids Heath Estate regeneration project, which increased participation from 406 people to 2,216 through mixed digital and in-person engagement

The Regulator of Social Housing is now actively following up with landlords whose Tenant Satisfaction Measure results indicate they are outliers, particularly on health and safety indicators, driving further improvements across the sector.

Blockchain Applications in Social Housing

Blockchain technology now plays a role in social housing management through innovative applications that improve transparency, security, and efficiency. HM Land Registry pioneered this shift through its partnership with ConsenSys Codefi, creating digital tokens representing property ownership. This system allows property owners to determine token values and quantities, simplifying transactions while reducing administrative burden for investor registries and lowering investment entry barriers; a great option for social housing investment financing.

The most recent advancement comes from Oxygenblock, which is bringing UK social housing on-chain through tokenisation. Led by CEO Brett Plant, the company is currently implementing a phased approach:

• Phase 1: Tokenizing £2 million in equity from four existing income-generating properties

• Phase 2: Exploring full ownership tokenisation of single assets

• Phase 3: National scaling with a five-year target of £50 million in tokenized assets

Their April 2025 launch on Blocksquare's Oceanpoint Launchpad is a milestone for the sector, allowing investors to participate at lower entry points while accessing professionally managed social housing assets.

For emergency accommodation needs, Jigsaw Conferences has developed blockchain plugins that transform the decanting process. Their system enhances data security while providing:

• Enhanced transparency and verification through immutable records

• Streamlined accommodation bookings with secure data handling

• Automated payment and settlement through smart contracts

• Efficient tracking of accommodation history and tenant preferences

Case Studies of Successful Digital Transformation

ForHousing has demonstrated remarkable success in modernising their tenant communication systems across their 26,000 North West properties. Their digital transformation addressed four key challenges:

1. Performance issues and frequent downtime in their contact centre

2. Fragmented tenant and adviser experiences

3. Communication-related complaints

4. Limited integration with core systems

By implementing a cloud-based approach with smart chatbots and comprehensive tenant information views, ForHousing achieved streamlined operations, reduced costs, improved tenant engagement, and enhanced regulatory compliance.

Harlow and Gilston Garden Town showcases cross-boundary digital innovation in their ambitious development programme which includes:

• 23,000 new homes

• Four new Garden Town neighbourhoods

• Regeneration of Harlow town centre

• Creation of 1,000 jobs

Their "Your Quality of Life" digital consultation, funded by the PropTech Innovation Fund, tripled participation rates through hybrid engagement combining digital and in-person events.

Investment Considerations for Digital-Enabled Housing Providers

The future of social housing is one that provides affordable living in Britain. Social housing already offers stable homes for 17% of households nationwide. The economic value extends far beyond simple housing provision, with quality affordable homes significantly reducing pressure on the NHS and social services while enabling people to live near employment opportunities. Research indicates that every pound invested in social housing typically generates £14 in wider economic benefits through reduced spending on temporary accommodation, healthcare, and other social services.

Digital maturity has become a critical assessment criterion for investors evaluating opportunities in this sector. UNITE's Digital Transformation Assessment offers a structured approach that provides:

• NPV calculations revealing long-term technology value

• Detailed analysis of potential savings and implementation costs

• Comprehensive reporting on workshop outcomes and project specifics

• Actionable roadmaps prioritising initiatives based on effort and impact

Digital transformation significantly improves operational efficiency through:

• Automated processes reducing errors and overhead expenses

• Enhanced tenant experiences improving satisfaction and loyalty

• Optimised asset utilisation reducing wastage and improving returns

• Data-driven decision making enabling real-time insights and predictive analytics

With the UK currently experiencing a housing boom, the integration of strong digital infrastructure into planning considerations has become crucial to support sustainable growth and ensure new developments meet future connectivity needs.

ROI Analysis for Technology Implementation

The financial case for technology investment in social housing is becoming increasingly compelling. With void properties costing the sector a staggering £1.6 billion in 2023/24, technologies that reduce void periods offer significant ROI potential. Housing providers have demonstrated that digital solutions directly address the root causes of voids, including tenant dissatisfaction and maintenance issues, by enabling proactive intervention before problems escalate.

The ROI from predictive maintenance technologies is particularly noteworthy. Mobysoft's RepairSense delivers value through multiple mechanisms. According to UNITE's Digital Transformation Assessment framework, technology investments in social housing generate multiple value streams that contribute to overall ROI. Tools like these contribute to better risk mitigation for social housing investors.

Studies examining digital technology in retrofitting works demonstrate that these tools significantly reduce costs while improving energy efficiency outcomes. As Ralston notes, "The ROI of technology goes well beyond direct cost-savings. Having real-time, accurate visibility of asset conditions means the housing provider is in control allowing for predictive and proactive maintenance interventions. It is well documented that proactive actions are typically five times less costly than reactive ones."

The Future Landscape of Digital Social Housing Investment

Digital transformation in social housing is a great opportunity for investors who understand both the technological innovations and their financial implications. The evidence here demonstrates that technology implementations, from AI-driven maintenance to blockchain-based property management, deliver measurable improvements in operational efficiency, tenant satisfaction, and financial performance.

Digital maturity should be a key evaluation criterion for investors considering social housing opportunities, as it directly impacts both risk profile and return potential. Organisations embracing data-driven decision making, predictive maintenance, IoT deployment, and blockchain innovation are positioned to outperform their peers in terms of operational efficiency, tenant satisfaction, and ultimately, investment returns.

As we look to the future, the most successful investors will be those who recognise that digital transformation in social housing is not merely a technological upgrade but a fundamental reimagining of how affordable housing is managed, maintained, and experienced. Those who align their investment strategies with this digital evolution will find themselves at the forefront of a more efficient, sustainable, and profitable social housing sector.

Take a look through our social housing investment guide to get a better understanding of the investment landscape. Or talk to one of our expert social housing investment advisors.