The Summer issue of WHQ is out now featuring devolution, data, damp and mould and much, much more.
The issue is published in the wake of a Labour landslide at Westminster and Labour turmoil in Cardiff.
Relations have already improved between Westminster and the devolved administrations, with new prime minister Keir Starmer visiting Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. However, as WHQ went to press, Welsh Government was thrown into chaos as four ministers and then the first minister resigned. Jayne Bryant is the new cabinet secretary for local government and housing but it is not yet clear how and when a new first minister will emerge.
Alongside that, it’s now 25 years since devolved government came to Wales. We asked a range of regular WHQ contributors to reflect on what has been achieved so far and what might be next on what a former Welsh secretary said was not ‘a journey with a fixed end point’.
Away from those political developments, the core of this issue looks at how technology and data are changing everything about how we live our lives, whether at home or at work.
We assess where we are at in the data journey and its implications for landlords, tenants and housing as a whole. Bethan Jones kicks off our special feature with a look at what Rent Smart Wales data can tell us about the state of the private rented sector, while Dewi Knight looks at what ministers and policy advisers should keep in mind when they set targets.
Andrea Gale reflects on how the role of data might change for landlords in future in her role as Pobl’s executive director technology, data and programmes, while Gareth Leech considers the journey so far at Cartrefi Conwy.
Data and data analysis can also reveal some very different housing experiences for different groups. Sacha Hasan and Gina Netto report on how housing organisations can address minority ethnic vulnerabilities in using digitalised housing services, while Alicja Zalesinska says analysis of equality data should form a key part of assurance and service improvement.
Finally, the rise of data also requires more security. David Teague shares advice from the Information Commissioner’s Office on what housing organisations can do to protect residents’ personal information and keep systems secure.
Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find articles on everything from off-site manufacturing to housing for people seeking sanctuary and tackling damp and mould to the role of social housing – plus how changes in the way we live our lives are creating challenges for the design and construction of our homes.
Meanwhile Jonathan Roberts celebrates the 150thanniversary of the Salvation Army in Wales and traces the story from the slums of ‘Little Hell’ in the 19th century to its current role in Housing First.
All that, plus all our regular features make for a rich and varied Summer issue of WHQ.
Subscribers can access the magazine in PDF and digital edition formats here and read individual articles online. A limited selection of articles are available free to non-subscribers but to make sure of your copy and get full access you can subscribe here.