Due to new amendments to the Social Housing Regulation Bill, social landlords are now required to investigate and fix damp and mould issues in affected properties within strict time limits. As the damp and mould issue in social housing becomes an increasingly more complex task to deal with, we would like to explore how can tech and digital innovation support local authorities and housing associations with their strategy on tackling damp and mould issues and managing risks.
In February 2023, the Regulator of Social Housing published the “Damp and mould in social housing: initial findings” report, which involved local authorities and private housing providers to understand how the issue is tackled and what changes are necessary. As a result, this will trigger from April 2024, more active consumer regulation of social housing.
We are convening local authorities, housing associations and members for this Innovators Network workshop to understand what the art of the possible is to create safer and healthier homes. This event will facilitate collaboration and bring together key stakeholders to help solve the damp and mould crisis. This event is for techUK members and digital and data leads, operational directors for housing, public health directors, compliance managers, head of strategic asset management, operational directors and digital transformation leads across local authorities and housing.
What will the Innovators Network entail?
The day will begin with short presentations from industry and public sector to set the scene and we will break out into groups to interrogate the challenge and problem solve together what the art of the possible is. There will be plenty of time for group discussion and the chance to feedback and hear from others.
Main points of discussion:
- Understanding what tech solutions and digital innovation are needed to mitigate risks and manage properties e.g. using sensors, apps, dashboards, modelling tools and AI for prevention
- How can we communicate effectively considering not everyone might be digitally enabled?
- What sort of finance and strategic planning is needed to support this?
- How can we use data effectively and do we have the right data frameworks?
- How can we take a systems approach and see the damp and mould challenge as a gateway towards asset optimisation?
- How can we influence long-term behaviours both from residents and landlords side?
- Understanding how this issue fits under the overarching theme of achieving net zero, including energy efficiency, retrofitting, maintenance etc.
The event is open to all local authorities and techUK members.
On the day we will be interrogating 3-4 challenges and if there are any that are not captured above and that you would like to cover please email Ileana Lupsa at [email protected]
Georgina Maratheftis
Georgina Maratheftis
Georgina is techUK’s Associate Director for Local Public Services
Georgina works with suppliers that are active or looking to break into the market as well as with local public services to create the conditions for meaningful transformation. techUK regularly bring together local public services and supplier community to horizon scan and explore how the technologies of today and tomorrow can help solve some of the most pressing problems our communities face and improve outcomes for our people and places.
Prior to techUK, Georgina worked for a public policy events company where she managed the policy briefing division and was responsible for generating new ideas for events that would add value to the public sector. Georgina worked across a number of portfolios from education, criminal justice, and health but had a particular interest in public sector transformation and technology. Georgina also led on developing relationships across central and local government.
If you’d like to learn more about techUK, or want to get involved, get in touch.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2029
- Twitter:
- @GeorginaMarath
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-maratheftis-0a002a102/
Luke Newcombe
Luke Newcombe
Luke joined techUK in September 2025 as a Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions.
Luke works closely with members and stakeholders across industry and government at local, regional and national levels to support collaboration, drive innovation and strengthen tech-enabled public services. His work supports the development of strong local and regional tech economies by helping organisations to engage with public sector challenges, explore emerging technologies and build impactful partnerships.
Prior to joining techUK, Luke worked at Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s export development agency. He began by advising SMEs on export strategy to the UK and later focused on connecting Irish businesses with multinational organisations to foster strategic partnerships, drive international growth and support economic development.
Luke holds an MSc in Political Economy from the University of Amsterdam and a BA in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Fran Richiusa
Fran Richiusa
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/
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