There is pressure from government
and commerce for people to use the Net for public
services, entertainment, learning, shopping and a
host of other activities. Enthusiasts argue that the
Net is also an essential tool for non-profit organisations
and community activists - as important as the phone,
and rapidly replacing fax. Those who don't have access
to the Net could be at a severe disadvantage.
Housing associations are well placed
- in theory
Housing associations are taking
over from councils as the main providers of homes
for people on low incomes or with special needs. They
are well placed to help those most likely to lose
out. They could provide connections
into homes, offer housing services online and provide
training and support. They could help to ensure that
children in poorer families have Net access;
that community centres become online learning centres;
that residents can more easily work from home; and
that older people, single mothers, refugees and others
who may be isolated can find useful information and
build new relationships.
Housing associations could, in theory,
be in the lead in helping to bridge what is known
as the 'digital divide' - the gap between those who
are using technology to improve their lives and their
communities and those who lack the money, skills or
confidence to do so.
However, few housing associations
are doing anything significant in this field. A few
pioneers like London and Quadrant, Swan and Peabody
are showing what is possible, but most do not see
it as a priority. Where they are doing something,
it is generally limited to putting their existing
services online: repairs, home exchanges, basic information.
Most are thinking about their own housing operations
- but not about the wider needs of their residents.
They are doing less than local government and other
non-profit organisations to adopt new technologies.
And while there are some outstanding
examples of residents' groups - like Redbricks in
Manchester - creating their own estate-wide systems,
this isn't realistic for most. Individuals and families
will have to make their own arrangements, and may
find this more difficult or costly than owner-occupiers.
Where residents do seek extra space to use a computer
out of the busy living room, for learning or work,
regulations about space standards or working from
home may stand in the way.
The major government-backed project
in the field planned to use digital TV to provide
people with home access. While this can deliver high
quality services - and in some projects enable residents
to develop their own content - it depends on wider
take-up of digital TV. This does part of the job of
a computer connected to the Net, but not all. The
main initiative is currently stalled because the company
developing the programme, DKTV, ran into financial
problems. They couldn't interest enough housing associations
in their service.
Many residents that we talked to
were cautious about online initiatives. Apart from
people's difficulties in using computers and the Net,
and the costs, many residents were sceptical about
the benefits for them and concerned that new online
services will lead to cuts in face-to-face and telephone
services.
'Try harder' won't work
In this situation toolkits and calls
to 'try harder' won't work. There are strong arguments
for making sure housing association residents don't
lose out in the 'networked society'. There are major
benefits in being connected - and many barriers of
cost, complexity and attitudes which need to be tackled.
But in housing - and many other areas - there is a
growing sense that we aren't using the right maps
or even pointing in the right direction to achieve
those benefits.
This report and guide suggests:
In the report we offer some insights
into future technology developments, including scenarios
for 'smart homes', 'dumb homes' and 'media rich homes'.
Technology trends should not dictate policy - but
anyone planning a project should look at the trends
toward personal, mobile use of technology. We are
used to thinking of the desk at homeor in the office,
or the TV, as the point of access to the Internet.
In future much access may be on our person.
The biggest problem we found is
that very few people in the field havethe background,
training or peer support to understand these issues.
It simply hasn't been their business.
We suggest that the first step for
national organisations in the field should be to establish
networks to increase understanding, develop models
for thinking and action, and share the lessons learned.
These 'communities of practice' could use a mixture
of communication methods, but should certainly be
online, with the necessary support for that. We think
that networks for both residents and housing associations
will be needed.
The networks will need a well-organised
knowledge base that draws on experience outside the
housing field. We have organised the guide into sections,
online and in print, so that it might make a contribution
to this.
