Plugging the Data Analytics Skills Gap in Social Housing

The UK housing sector is experiencing rapid digital transformation. This has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a renewed focus on social housing providers to record and utilise accurate, up-to-date data.

There’s no escaping the importance of optimising the value of data to improve service delivery and enhance the satisfaction of tenants. Especially given the introduction of Awaab’s Law in October 2025 and the newly improved Regulator of Social Housing’s Consumer Standards.

Now, more than ever, social housing providers must use this data to drive strategic decisions. However, to analyse this data effectively, they must overcome the ongoing skills gap.

Too many organisations are relying on outdated systems, lack in-house analytical expertise and face stiff competition for limited talent pools. 

While this digital transformation is a good thing for the social housing sector, the skills gap it creates needs to be addressed urgently if providers are going to use this valuable data to realise their full potential.

Why does addressing this skills gap matter?

Currently, social housing providers in the UK are facing the following challenges when it comes to using data effectively:

• Complex datasets: Datasets are often difficult to manage, analyse and interpret, leading to poor quality data and inconsistencies in how they’re collected.
• Old management systems: Outdated housing management systems cause limited data accessibility and poor integration with other systems. Many won’t support advanced analytics tools.
• Data silos: Data often sits in different departments, creating silos. For example, repairs and maintenance tasks may sit in one system and tenant feedback data in another.
• Lack of resources: Social housing providers are often under-resourced, which means they can’t allocate the time and staff needed to fully utilise data.
• Fear of getting it wrong: The work carried out by staff has a direct impact on people’s lives. So if they don’t feel comfortable using new systems and software, they won’t realise its full benefits.
• Data management is not seen as a priority: The time and energy needed to analyse and action data may not be invested, due to viewing other business needs as more important.

Failure to recognise and deal with these challenges head-on could lead to serious problems for social housing providers, and at the very least will stunt growth and leave them lagging behind competitors. 

Here are a few reasons why accurate data analytics is vital.

Operational efficiency 

Without the skills needed to analyse data, social housing providers will struggle to interpret maintenance trends, tenant behaviour and asset performance. Data silos must be broken down to allow information to flow freely, leading to reactive rather than proactive operations.

Financial health

Inefficient operations caused by a lack of data analysis can cause serious financial strain. For example, it can lead to a backlog of essential repairs work or a rise in void properties. Analytics-informed decisions help to tackle these issues, ensuring less money is wasted.

Tenant satisfaction

Resident satisfaction metrics are incredibly important, allowing providers to make data-driven decisions about their services and operations. Social housing providers can quickly identify patterns in tenant feedback and promptly address them.

Compliance and safety

The regulatory landscape is tightening, demanding precise monitoring and reporting. Without analytical capacity, critical safety data won’t be accessible, which could seriously impact the safety of tenants.  

Transparency and accountability

Data improves transparency at an organisation, both for staff and tenants. Making data insights accessible demonstrates to tenants that their concerns are valued and work is being done to raise standards and get jobs done. It also holds social housing providers accountable.

Strategic opportunities

In an era where self-service portals and digital tenant engagement are becoming the norm, providers without data-driven tools fall behind in tenant satisfaction and long-term resilience. Data is a key component of strategic thinking and decision-making. 

How ROCC’s Data Analyst On Demand service bridges the gap

To plug the data analytics skills gap, all social housing providers must ensure they invest in housing technology solutions that include the following two features:

• Predictive forecasting: Using predictive analytics tools, housing providers can anticipate maintenance needs to reduce costs and improve service reliability.
• Management reporting: Robust reporting foundations equip decision-makers with up-to-date statuses at a glance, from void rates to maintenance backlog, helping to allocate resources efficiently. Clear, accurate reports remain essential for operational control and accountability.

Fortunately, ROCC’s Data Analyst On Demand service (ROCC Focus) incorporates all of this to address the skills shortfall directly, combining cutting-edge analytics tools with expert human support. 

We bridge the gap with a cloud-based analytics platform built specifically for housing providers.

• Provide integration across all existing line-of-business systems, creating a single source of truth for operational and strategic data. 
• Track KPIs and stay on top of targets in real-time, with access to operational and business information from anywhere at any point.
• Empower all users by assigning dashboards, charts and reports to all information consumers.
• Use machine learning to forecast with the click of a button with predictive analytics.
• Access to a skilled data analyst for up to two full days per month, plus unlimited support via phone, email or messaging for data queries and storytelling.
• The platform operates via ROCC’s secure cloud with near-perfect uptime (99.9999%), ensuring reporting is always available when needed.

By delivering both technology and analytics expertise in one bundled subscription, ROCC removes the barrier of hiring full-time analysts – a costly and often unsuccessful effort given market competition. We also help to train and upskill existing staff to use the software effectively.

As a result, organisations can gain immediate access to actionable insights, predictive models and polished management reports without needing to develop those capabilities in-house.

Next steps: Plug the data analytics skills gap with ROCC

The data analytics skills gap in the UK social housing sector will continue to grow if action isn’t taken, impacting efficiency, compliance and strategic readiness. Not only do social housing providers need the right tools and software to narrow this gap, but they also need to implement and sustain them.

That’s where our Data Analyst On Demand service comes into play, offering housing associations and local authorities a ready-made analytics platform. Plus, you’ll benefit from expert support on tap should you encounter any issues.

For organisations looking to harness data without the complexities of building analytics teams from scratch, look no further than ROCC.

Want more information about our award-winning housing technology solutions and what it means for your data? Get in touch with a member of our customer support team today.