The UK's housing sector is set for significant change in 2025, bringing new challenges for housing associations to address in meeting evolving resident needs.
From navigating Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) to managing economic pressures with smarter budgeting, proactive engagement with residents and tenants has never been more vital. Join us as we review the importance of continuous engagement, and how effective communication solutions can help associations build meaningful connections moving forward.
With 8.5 million people in England currently unable to access the housing they need, and efforts underway to tackle the housing crisis by 2035, improving resident engagement is a key target for associations. Ensuring the right information is being put in front of the right people should be an absolute priority. As the housing crisis persists, housing associations must focus on building trust and enhancing communication to overcome these barriers, ensuring they foster meaningful, long-lasting relationships.
A significant number of residents and tenants are disengaged with housing associations for several reasons, be it poor communication, unmet expectations or external challenges. Unclear messaging, slow response times, a lack of personalised communication or insufficient support for vulnerable groups can leave individuals feeling undervalued and disappointed in the service they are receiving. So how can housing associations build up a level of trust?
Housing associations can establish confidence by improving communication with residents - through transparency, consistency and accessible formats on an individual basis. Essential documents like rent reminders, maintenance documents arrears notices, and lease updates should be clear and timely, while newsletters providing engaging updates on news, events, and community matters should also be made available in multiple accessible mediums for those with visual impairments or disabilities.
Keeping residents informed in the format they prefer demonstrates transparency and respect for their time, making them feel valued and secure. This establishes stronger engagement, as tenants are more likely to trust and interact with their housing provider, leading to a positive, long-term relationship.
Providing residents with the choice of how they receive communications is key to improving engagement. By offering flexible options such as large print, braille, translation services, and audio recordings, housing associations can meet diverse needs and ensure accessibility for all residents. It’s equally important to engage residents who may not have access to the internet. By offering both digital and physical communication channels, housing associations can reach all residents, regardless of their online access.
Effective communication with an awareness of resident preferences drives better engagement and enhances transparency. Ultimately, offering the right communication at the right time, while remaining aware of the individuality of residents helps to build accountability and achieve positive outcomes. This brings us to another big question – who can you work with to make this a reality?
At CFH, our communication solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of residents, driving engagement, building trust, and addressing communication challenges. Whether through physical or digital channels, we offer a range of services including hybrid mail, e-delivery, and managed services, all tailored to deliver the right message at the right time.
Scalable, secure and already trusted by countless housing associations, from large bulk mailings to daily communications our solutions ensure that housing providers can effectively connect with residents. For everything from financial updates to important informational content, by strategically managing both inbound and outbound communications we support you in building strong, lasting relationships and regaining trust with your residents.
Get in touch today to discover how we can support your housing association in creating a positive, lasting impact.
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