Empowering Social Housing Innovation for Change: Introducing the Commons for Affordable Housing Program

Embarking on a journey driven by collaboration and innovation, the Salesforce Commons Community Team and the UK Housing Team are proud to introduce the Commons for Affordable Housing program! This marks an important milestone in our commitment to social responsibility and innovation, representing the first-ever sector-specific Commons initiative with a dedicated focus on Affordable Housing.

Let's pause and take a moment to reflect on how this partnership came to fruition and the impactful steps taken to address a critical need within the UK social housing landscape.

Addressing a Crucial Need: The Call from Social Housing Associations

In an era marked by high interest rates, a cost of living crisis, and a housing shortage, affordable housing providers must quickly adopt technology to support their employees and deliver prompt services to customers. Addressing the longstanding need for collaboration on technology solutions among UK social housing associations, the Salesforce Housing Industry Advisory Council (HIAC) was established, bringing together leading associations to innovate collectively.

The Perfect Match: HIAC Council, meet the Commons Program

In 2023, HIAC took proactive measures by organising a workshop to prioritise essential business and technology areas for open-source projects. If this sounds familiar to you, it’s because Salesforce's overall Nonprofit and Education community has been participating in its own innovation program since 2015. The Salesforce.org Open Source Commons program has been bringing the community together to identify, prioritise, and build solutions that make using Salesforce technology easier for nonprofits and schools for almost 10 years, helping to include and launch hundreds of community-led solutions over the years.

The new Commons for Affordable Housing program marks a significant stride forward in fostering technology collaboration among social housing associations. The program is not just a response to a need; it is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and a shared commitment to positive change.

Join Us: Shaping the Future Together

As we announce the Commons for Affordable Housing program, we extend an invitation to each one of you to join us on this journey. Together, let's contribute to a brighter and technologically advanced future for the UK social housing sector.

The Commons Affordable Housing Sprint, happening 20th & 21st of March in Newcastle is the first of many upcoming collaboration opportunities, and we encourage you to engage actively, contribute thoughtfully, and shape a brighter and technologically advanced future for the UK social housing sector. We will continue this innovation with opportunities to engage at the Community Sprint in London 4th & 5th of June, and another Affordable Housing Sprint happening again in Newcastle in October.

Join the Sprint group in the Trailblazer Community to stay in the loop and learn more!