How Shared Tools Can Transform Housing Associations and Local Authorities

The social housing landscape in the UK is constantly evolving. Facing increasing pressure, housing associations and local authorities are having to adapt to new legislation, higher costs, rising tenant demands and so much more. This is making it harder to deliver safe, affordable housing, which is in more demand than ever.

So, what can be done to get this juggling act right? As social housing providers strive to offer sustainable homes amid growing challenges, they will need to rely on shared digital tools that support collaboration. 

Too often, organisations are operating in isolation. In this article, we explore how utilising the same digital platforms can help achieve better outcomes and why ROCC’s software is the solution.

Why does it matter?

Providing enough social housing in the UK is one of the most complex challenges of our time. In England alone, over 1.3 million households are currently stuck on waiting lists for a social home.

Without the right systems and software in place, this issue will remain unresolved. Additionally, no single organisation can do it alone. That’s why local authorities and housing associations must come together; otherwise, there will be ongoing instances of inconsistent data, work duplication and errors, and poor decision-making.

However, collaboration doesn’t happen by chance, which is why they need to utilise market-leading housing software that’s backed by the right tools.

The importance of shared digital tools

Shared software offers a practical solution. Here, we explore some of the main benefits of housing associations and local authorities using the same digital tools.

Efficiency and coordination

• Streamline communication and workflows between organisations, reducing duplication and delays.
• Share real-time data on housing stock, allocations and maintenance to improve decision-making.
• Coordinate case management for vulnerable tenants, for example, reducing homelessness.
• Automate routine processes like repairs scheduling and compliance tracking.

Housing and asset management

• Create a shared view of local housing demand and supply.
• Use shared asset management platforms to plan maintenance, retrofits and energy efficiency projects.
• Track property performance and sustainability metrics across organisations to meet net-zero goals.
• Enable joint procurement through digital marketplaces and contract management systems.

Tenants and communities 

• Provide unified digital portals where tenants can access services regardless of provider.
• Offer consistent customer service standards through shared CRM systems and communication tools.
• Use data analytics to identify and support tenants at risk.
• Improve accessibility and inclusion with user-friendly, multilingual and mobile-first digital interfaces.

Data and strategic planning

• Develop shared data dashboards to monitor housing needs.
• Use predictive analytics to anticipate maintenance issues before they escalate.
• Benchmark performance across organisations to drive continuous improvement.

Compliance and security

• Ensure consistent data protection and compliance through unified systems and standards.
• Strengthen cyber resilience by sharing cybersecurity tools and expertise.
• Maintain transparent audit trails.
• Improve risk management through shared monitoring and early warning systems.

To unlock the full potential of shared tools and software, both local authorities and housing associations must commit to open dialogue and invest in training to deliver better homes for all.

How can ROCC help?

At ROCC, our best-in-class housing maintenance software provides housing associations and local authorities with everything they need to revolutionise their repairs service. Our solutions and tools have been designed to improve the lives of tenants by:

• Utilising automation.
• Ensuring real-time forecasting and dynamic work planning.
• Bringing instant communication to customers.
• Helping organisations stay fully informed of any relevant new legislation.

By embracing our shared tools, social housing providers can collectively ensure they can meet the housing challenges of today and tomorrow.

For more information, get in touch with a member of our customer support team.