Smart technology project set to improve health and wellbeing of Glasgow residents

Glasgow City Council partners with North to deliver innovative IoT technology across city homes

Glasgow residents are some of the first to benefit from smart technology in their homes, as Glasgow City Council rolls out an innovative pilot scheme with two Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) - West of Scotland Housing Association and Southside Housing Association.

Delivered by North, up to 30 homes across the central belt now feature state-of-the-art sensors that will monitor the temperature and humidity levels in properties.

The smart Tempus sensors will share real-time data through IoT Scotland, Scotland’s IoT network, which is managed by North, with Glasgow City Council and the RSLs who will record and analyse moisture readings every 30 minutes.

This will enable the local authority and housing associations to proactively intervene and minimise issues including damp and mould, which can cause a host of health issues over time.

In a bid to create healthier and safer places for residents to live in, Glasgow City Council has implemented the Digital Housing Strategy 2022 – 2028. The comprehensive strategy outlines how technology can be used to enhance the housing sector by improving energy efficiency and reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions. In turn, this will help to improve housing conditions, support independent living and benefit health and social care services.

The innovative IoT Pilot in partnership with North will demonstrate how the use of sensor-driven digital solutions can improve housing services and raise awareness of the technologies available in this sector and the savings they can make.

More than 75% of RSLs in Glasgow have confirmed that they would welcome the use of IoT devices to enhance services and quality of housing. It is hoped that following the success of the pilot scheme, the solution can be rolled out across hundreds more homes in Glasgow and beyond. Over time, this will significantly improve operating performance, reduce costs and enhance the value delivered to housing association tenants.

As part of the scheme, the RSLs undertook a comprehensive review of the selected homes in partnership with North to identify any existing issues with the properties. Residents have also been provided with information packs detailing the benefits and guidance on the installation of the sensors which are now up and running.

Julie Hutchison, Business Development Manager at North, said: “Poor property conditions can create serious health and wellbeing problems for residents, as well as cost housing associations hefty repair bills when issues are left to worsen.

“Housing Associations are working in partnership with Glasgow City Council to try and proactively minimise these issues and create healthier and safer places for residents to live, and with North’s support, future-proof its availability of fit-for-purpose accommodation. Technology and data gathering are key to almost all digital strategies and this project will allow the housing sector to use digital innovation to enhance services, homes and the quality of life for residents.

“North’s expertise in helping local authorities and organisations realise the benefit that IoT technologies bring to the everyday lives of thousands continues to go from strength to strength. We are incredibly proud to help communities become cleaner, healthier and more sustainable.”

Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Housing at Glasgow City Council, said: “Our work with our partners on this pilot IoT project will see the use of technology that will hopefully improve the lives of residents and the condition of their homes. The success of this pilot could pave the way for wider adoption of such technology to optimise energy efficiency, in turn reducing fuel poverty and the impact of housing on the environment and improve the delivery of housing and other services to households.”

Andrew Kubski, Director of Development & Asset Management, West of Scotland Housing Association, said: “We are really pleased to be part of this innovative pilot study. During The cost of living crisis which will impact harder on tenants in the social housing sector, many householders simply won’t be able to heat their homes.

“We know a lack of heating can speed up condensation and damp issues with the resultant impact on health and the fabric of their homes. This IoT technology may help us with early interventions that can help us address these issues with the tenants.”

Donna Reilly, Head of Development & Investment at Southside Housing Association, said: “Southside is delighted to be working with our partners on this pilot IoT project. The Association hopes the outcome of this study will assist both the organisation and most importantly our tenants in being able to ensure intervention where data suggests that there are conditions of concern. In addition, we hope the pilot can benefit the asset management practices and customer services delivered by the Association.”