PROPERTY The Housing Association Specialists
Our sector expertise
We partner with purpose-driven, not-for-profit organisations. Organisations that have social purpose at their heart. Organisations like yours.
Having worked with not-for-profit social housing providers for nearly 25 years, we have built up an impressive portfolio of clients at the forefront of the UK housing industry, including VIVID Homes, Aster Group, Platform Housing Group and Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association.
Most importantly though, we understand your business needs, goals and challenges. Our expertise lies in providing solutions to these challenges to help you meet your goals so that you can get on with what you do best - providing quality, safe, secure and affordable housing, and supporting your local communities.
Highlights
-
183% increase
in users within the first 10 months of Aster Group's new website launching
-
63% increase
in page views since the new VIVID website launched
-
288,250
customers currently living in homes managed by our HA clients
-
118,500
homes currently under management with our HA clients
We understand your industry and its challenges
Keeping ESG high on the agenda
The political and economic landscape can often mean that environmental issues are deprioritised. However, with the government's decarbonisation scheme and commitment to delivering a zero carbon economy by 2050, there will be a need to virtually eliminate the carbon emissions of all homes, including social and affordable, through sustainable new builds and retrofitting existing homes, pushing ESG back up the agenda.
Changes to accessibility requirements
With accessibility needing to be front of mind for the industry, it's important to be aware of W3C Accessibility Guidelines 3.0 coming in to replace Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2. While it is not obligatory to change over to W3C yet, if (and likely when) the government choose to make them mandatory, your whole digital landscape will require change.
Legacy digital environments
Numerous mergers, alongside a common lack of priority assigned to digital performance, have led to legacy digital environments that are no longer fit for use. As a result, this creates workflow and efficiency issues which cause strains on budgets.
Pressure on procurement
Rising inflation and high interest rates are resulting in limited budgets and resources, putting an increasing amount of pressure on procurement teams. Internal systems and processes which have not yet been streamlined or automated will in turn be adding to this burden.
Customer satisfaction is more important than ever
With the Regulator of Social Housing setting out its new tenant satisfaction measures in April 2023, it's more vital than ever to have robust systems in place for handling communications, complaints, property maintenance and payment options.
Where supply and demand clash with affordability
We understand there is a huge shortfall in affordable housing in the UK. However alongside the supply issue, lies the cost of living crisis and increased cost of labour and construction materials, all against a backdrop of trying to maintain the affordability of homes for buyers.
Changes in policies and processes
With changes to Shared Ownership models and Rent to Buy application processes already in place, not keeping up could lead to compliance issues and a lack of correct data capture.
We'd love to hear from you
Aster
Aster were keen to align the fragments of their business and streamline digital journeys, processes and transactions. As well as creating a new website, we defined a new brand proposition that established Aster as a 'not-for-dividend business rather than a not-for-profit organisation' necessary to attract and retain corporate funding, acquire new build opportunities and attract private and shared ownership buyers.
Solutions provided:
- Brand strategy
- Brand identity
- UX & UI Design
- Website development
We know your customers
Beyond the day-to-day of your not-for-profit organisation and your overall business strategy and objectives, lies the beating heart of why you do what you do; delivering on your social purpose and providing people with a home of their own.
We understand that your customers are your priority and that building trust and demonstrating empathy is vital. Our years of experience and, of course, finger-on-the-pulse industry insights, means that we truly understand your customer and their needs. And more often than not, it's not because our clients have told us, it's because the customer has - through our many surveys, interviews and focus groups.
VIVID Homes
Faced with the prospect of merging two separate housing associations, we helped create VIVID Homes as we know them today. From naming and brand identity to a brand new, customer-centric website that is continuously improving and developing with the customer in mind.
Solutions provided:
- Brand naming
- Brand identity
- SEO
- UX & UI Design
- Website development
We'd love to hear from you
Housing associations we've partnered with
Platform Housing Group
Platform Housing Group's old website was no longer fit for purpose with disconnected customer journeys and a visual design system that was in need of a refresh. The result was a new UX-orientated website that focused on the customer and their needs, with clear and simple navigation, creating a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Solutions provided:
- Design & Illustration
- UX & UI Design
- Website development
How we can help you succeed and fulfill your ambition
We know that as an industry you serve your local community with compassion and empathy, so it's important to work with an agency that understands this.
We help housing associations and not-for-profit social landlords by providing solutions to many of the challenges highlighted, through brand, digital and marketing. But we're not just talking pretty pictures. Although we do have exceptionally talented designers.
We're talking about how we can increase customer satisfaction rates through digital transformation, automation, customer portals and more. Or how we can reduce the demand on customer call centres through technical solutions. Or work with you to tell your story and improve brand awareness and reputation, thus reaching more customers and investors alike...
And while we can't single handedly solve climate change or social mobility (although we are hoping to achieve B Corp certification this year!), we know how much pressure the housing association industry is under. With an ever-changing landscape and the need to constantly evolve your digital and internal efficiencies while remaining a purpose-driven brand, we're here to support you and help you succeed.
Stonewater
When housing associations Raglan and Jephson Group merged, we were delighted to help them move forward as one consolidated brand, bringing together their values and ambitions with a whole new brand, including strategy, naming and identity. Differentiated, relevant and a trusted proposition to attract customers. Everything that you still see today.
Solutions provided:
- Brand naming
- Brand strategy
- Brand identity
Who else we work with
Working with housing associations has been in our DNA since day dot. We understand your business challenges, motivations and aspirations. And just as importantly, we understand your customers; your buyers and tenants.
But, aghast, we also work with other sectors. As the trusted partner for many other household names, we're in the strong position of using our experience, data and knowledge to cross-pollinate strategies and ideas regardless of industry. Working with a specialist never means copy and paste.
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Let's talk
- Call us +44 (0) 1256 334567
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you connect strategically, creatively or digitally, then call us or get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.