Finding capacity in an age of growing regulation
By Chris Whitehead, VP of Government and Housing, OneAdvanced
Rising demands, finite resources
While few housing providers would dispute the need for stronger regulation, many are now facing a volume of change that is becoming increasingly difficult to absorb.
In recent years alone, the sector has had to adapt to the requirements of the Social Housing( Regulation) Act 2023, Awaab’ s Law, the Building Safety Act, Tenant Satisfaction Measures( TSMs) and the Procurement Act 2023( PA23), each bringing new responsibilities around compliance, governance, reporting and service delivery.
In conversations with our housing partners, many are understandably feeling the pressure. A common challenge is finding the capacity, skills and resources needed to keep pace with regulatory change while continuing to deliver high-quality services to residents.
This is particularly evident where regulations require significant new operational capabilities. For example, Awaab’ s Law has already required many providers to invest in additional resources to meet strict timescales for identifying and resolving hazards, with further categories due to be brought into scope throughout 2026 and 2027.
Meanwhile, the Procurement Act 2023 has introduced new requirements around procurement practices, supplier management and organisational capability, creating additional demands on already stretched teams.
The next step, then, is to answer an important question: what can be done to alleviate this pressure?
Responding to change
While not a panacea, technology plays a significant role in alleviating pressure on stretched teams and helping organisations respond more effectively to growing regulatory demands.
By automating routine tasks, improving oversight and helping teams prioritise activity more effectively, technology can create valuable additional capacity across the organisation. At a time when resources are stretched and expectations continue to rise, this can help providers remain compliant while continuing to deliver high-quality services.
Turning risk into action
One area where technology can have an immediate impact is risk and governance. As regulatory obligations continue to evolve, providers need confidence that risks are being identified, monitored and acted upon effectively across the organisation.
The latest AI-driven risk management tools, such as Risk Assist, provide clear, real-time visibility of organisational risks, helping teams maintain oversight and respond proactively as issues emerge.
For housing providers, this could include identifying older housing stock that may be more vulnerable to issues such as damp and mould, prioritising maintenance and repair activity, and ensuring potential risks are escalated quickly to the appropriate teams. In the context of Awaab’ s Law, this level of visibility can play an important role in helping providers identify areas of concern earlier and respond more effectively.
Making every resource count
Another area where technology can have a significant impact is resource scheduling. As
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