Council develops Scotland’s first Digital Housing Strategy

Working in partnership with social and private landlords, Glasgow City Council has developed a Digital Housing Strategy to improve housing services and tackle digital exclusion.

The strategy has been developed around four housing-related themes, including data, digital inclusion, systems and services and technology.

Glasgow City Council is the first local authority in Scotland to develop a strategy that seeks to improve digital housing services, tackle digital exclusion, use technology and enhance the collection, analysis and display of housing data.

32 Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), who own 75% of the city’s social rented housing stock, provided feedback on the plan.

A key aim of the strategy is to expand the provision of digital housing services offered to RSL households living in the city.

However, traditional customer service methods such as face-to-face and telephone contact should continue to be provided going forward to ensure that all tenants can choose how they access housing services.

The data provided by RSLs suggests that 65% of households living in the city’s social rented housing sector do not use a broadband connection in their home. The main reasons for digital exclusion include affordability, lack of skills and/or a reluctance to transact online.

Cllr Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm at Glasgow City Council, said: ‘The development of a Digital Housing Strategy presents a range of opportunities for delivering service improvements across the city’s housing sector using technology and innovation. Glasgow City Council will continue to work effectively with Registered Social Landlords and other partners to address the challenges that are outlined in the strategy. Working together with partners to deliver the action plan will enhance access to, and the quality of, housing for many people.’

In related news, change to help improve the planning application process and the service received by applicants has been announced by Planning Minister Tom Arthur.

Photo by George Kourounis