Strategy ’25

Since our inception, one year ago, the Open Data Exchange (ODX) has been campaigning to transform social housing through open, shared, and collaborative data.

We met recently to review our purpose and direction and form our strategy for 2025. We have many lessons to learn from our first year of trying to influence people who are already overwhelmed by many issues including the almost impossible task of curating data for the benefit of tenants, regulators, and colleagues.

We keep being told that our big idea of a national database of social homes is a “no-brainer.” However, a good idea is not enough. Two huge barriers exist: creating it and getting it adopted. Building it requires money we do not have, and getting it adopted is untested and unknown.

We find ourselves as architects, advocates, and agents for change. How can we further our three key objectives?

• Use data to benefit tenants, promoting equality, transparency, and accountability.

• Create a comprehensive database of social housing in the UK.

• Improve data literacy, skills, and capabilities by raising standards and learning from others.

Political-Economic-Social-Technological (PEST) Analysis

Data – What a PEST!

We also wrote a PEST to set out where we think the sector is. There are so many challenges that go beyond the technology build, which is complex in itself. Although the government’s drive for better data and the use of artificial intelligence, there is some scepticism that data could damage rather than enhance our reputation. The digital social housing marketplace is confusing and overcrowded, and internal tech teams do not always have the skills, capacity, and capabilities to leverage the opportunities.

The sector is not without imperatives, drive or ideas. The publication of Tenancy Satisfaction Measures has been a catalyst for better data management and governance. Our desire to make data more transparent to tenants is at the heart of the ODX mission.

The Open Data Exchange has also been proud to support and work alongside colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, HACT, Disruptors Innovation Network, Housing Technology, Housing Digital and Services Insights.

Outside of the sector, for example, in central government and cross-London, a critical mass of resources is brought together under recognised digital leaders and experts who are working on digital connectivity, innovation collaboration, data capabilities, and building trust in the use of data. Does Social Housing need a CTO/CDO?

Priorities for 2025

Our big idea is to produce a national database of social housing. Big Tech and Big Consulting also like that idea. But we remain committed to aligning with our sector values and building something that is “by the sector for the sector.”

The big idea is not something we can deliver quickly. We have resolved to focus on our interim milestones for 2025:

• Some micro-application proof of concepts which demonstrate the use case such as shared GIS functionality and comparison tools for tenants.

• Identifying a geographic cluster of proactive providers to take part in research-based development and shared funding with grant injection. There is already a model for the development of buildings, so why not a system?

• Supporting collaboration around Transparency, Influence, and Accountability whether it’s about Regulator’s Consumer Standards, Social Tenants’ Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs), or Data Standards.

• Let’s keep raising the debate – especially with Executives and Boards who we want to be our greatest allies. Data is now part of a complex relationship with regulatory, governance, operational, and financial pressures. Considering these priorities, we will focus on the Data in a Day Masterclasses, an interactive, hackathon-style research and development event.

Our Team

DX consists of Kate Davies, Steve Dungworth, and Neil Topping. Our internal capacity and growth are limited by our freely given time. We are close to appointing a new Communications Director, who will enhance our abilities to keep our stakeholders and supporters up to date.

And that is where we leave 2024. Thanks to everyone who has supported the Open Data Exchange and our big idea. We would like to wish a Happy New Year.