Vicky ParryNew Research conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found a connection between Digital and Social Exclusion, much to the disgruntlement of existing housing associations.
In a world of constant online expansion and digitally dependent communications it is increasingly easy to forget that life exists offline.
It is therefore intriguing to learn that 8.7 million adults in the UK today – 17.5% of the population – have never even used the internet.
The Internet is an increasingly vital source of services and information (bearing in mind where you are reading this article). This is placing all-new pressures onto those people without access. In fact, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s research, the public believe that having the internet at home is now essential for an acceptable standard of living.
This digital gulf within society compounds other existing inequalities and our most vulnerable are at most risk of being excluded. Almost half of those not online are disabled and a large proportion unemployed. However 90% of new jobs require ICT skills and 7 million jobs were posted online last year thus a problem is automatically created.
Nearly a third of all those not online are social housing tenants. Housing associations have a long history of making people’s lives better and they are ideally placed to help those most at risk of social and digital exclusion.
So, what is being done to combat this problem and how does this affect the housing association?
The traditional role of the housing sector is forever changing and with the government devolving power and responsibility to frontline service providers we have an opportunity to incorporate digital inclusion into the provision of housing services. Housing associations could establish better communication and relationships with online tenants, canvas community opinion more effectively and deliver more personalised services at a reduced cost
A host of resources already exist to help housing professionals devise strategies including the UK Online Centres toolkit, Race Online 2012, Age UK and Digital Unite. In some areas policies are already in place in to provide broadband-inclusive rent-packages or free wireless internet access, offer recycled computer loan schemes and appoint local digital champions.
Getting everyone online is in everyone’s interests. If just 3.5% of those not online used the internet to help find employment it would contribute a net economic value of £560m a year. Housing associations must take advantage of the resources available to them to promote digital inclusion among those most at risk of social exclusion.
Image Courtesy of espensorvik
