Revolutionising Disaster Response: How Social Housing Suppliers and Innovative Companies are Changing the Game

In times of crisis, the swift and effective action of leading Social Housing Suppliers becomes crucial. Mobilizing Catastrophe Response (CAT) teams promptly and providing emergency housing assistance at no cost for affected tenants stands at the forefront of these operations.

Following tragedies like the Grenfell Towers and amidst significant strides made by notable players in the social housing sector, such as Urban Splash and Proctor & Matthews Architects, the industry recognizes the need for robust disaster response strategies. As these entities embark on ambitious ventures, including potentially the UK’s largest modular housing scheme this century for Homes England, the urgency to digitize and streamline the frequency and procedure of tenant rehousing during emergencies becomes even more apparent.

In this context, the exemplary move by a Director at a Housing Association who stood before a court to personally vouch for rehousing plans offers a benchmark for the level of commitment and responsibility that the sector demands. This incident underscores the gravity of ensuring stellar customer service to tenants, who rightfully deserve a personalized experience, combining the best of automation and human interaction to ensure their safety and care.

During disaster situations, the expeditious deployment of resources can make all the difference. It’s a scenario that often involves displacing policyholders, mobilizing adjusters, and placing stress on financial and human resources. These dynamic situations call for a 24/7, year-round presence.

Recently, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, approved a project that guarantees 100 percent affordable housing and a new hotel. This green light signals a rise in social housing projects, highlighting the need for an organized support system for CAT teams to prevent disasters on the scale of Grenfell Towers.

In this high-pressure environment, companies like JIGSAW are amplifying their disaster response capacities. The knowledgeable CAT Decant Housing Team at JIGSAW stands ready to move into action within hours, meeting the needs of the affected area with a scalable disaster response model. Their approach provides an accurate, firsthand perspective of the event.

As demand skyrockets in such chaotic situations, the scarcity of available properties and hotel rooms necessitates a fast-acting approach. Current processes for rehousing tenants vary from site to site, which can lead to inefficiencies. For instance, trying to relocate tenants to hotels often proves impractical, as site managers may lack the expertise to secure bookings or negotiate discounts round the clock.

JIGSAW’s Catastrophe Response Teams (CAT) support offers an efficient solution, inspired by the model used by the insurance sector in emergencies. By providing alternative accommodation services 24/7 through Jigsaw Conferences Ltd, they streamline the process and provide more suitable housing options, thereby saving significant time, money, and resources.

When emergencies such as floods, fires, or subsidence occur, JIGSAW provides immediate relocation services, minimizing stress and disruption. Thanks to Jigsaw’s network of national lettings, hotels, serviced apartments, and other accommodation suppliers, Housing Associations can save substantial amounts and reduce daily accommodation rates for each apartment or hotel.

It’s clear that with the right resources, commitment, and empathy, social housing providers can indeed make a difference in times of disaster, ensuring the safety and well-being of their tenants.