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Situation
When a recent disaster occurred, a leading Housing Association deployed an on-the-ground catastrophe response (CATS) team could support the large number of displaced tenants in the impacted area. The Housing Association required an emergency housing solution for the team that could provide:
• 24/7/365 access to comfortable, long-term accommodations
• Flexible leasing terms and length of stay options
• Convenient locations in the impacted areas additionally,
to ensure costs were managed effectively, the company required a solution that included consolidated, centralised billing. Previously, team members were negotiating lease terms and signing agreements without company authorisation. This resulted in higher lodging costs, increased incidental charges and ,greater financial risks and exposure for both the employee and the client.
Challenge
The Housing Association needed to secure a comprehensive emergency housing solution that would reduce costs and streamline the billing process so the CATS team could focus on meeting their tenant’s needs. Jigsaw, with its broad inventory of hotels, apartments, homes and more, was able to provide the Housing Association CATS teams with furnished apartments for an extended stay over 30 days. This solution offered several benefits, including:
• Major cost savings
By consolidating all disaster-related employee costs, using furnished apartments instead of hotel rooms, and identifying convenient options in a specific location, the client was able to reduce staff overtime previously spent on invoicing and processing, eliminate short term stay hotel taxes and worked with Jigsaw to negotiate exceptional leasing terms for longer (60 day) stays.
• Improved operating efficiencies through centralisation
Centralisation of the temporary housing process through Jigsaw allowed the client to improve operating efficiencies by providing a single source for all housing needs, streamlining CATS team location tracking, eliminating unproductive lease term negotiations including departure penalty issues and increasing critical management time needed for repairs or relocation. Providing an emergency housing solution for a leading Housing Association catastrophe response (CATS) teams.
• Improved associate productivity
Furnished apartments offered a more comfortable, home-like environment with larger living spaces, full-size kitchens and separate living rooms. This solution allowed the client’s employees to focus less on the stress and inconveniences related to being away from home for long periods of time and more on fulfilling the displaced tenant’s needs.
• Enhanced access to critical information
Centralised event data allowed for simplified and consolidated catastrophe reporting. In addition, this functionality provided enhanced reporting features important for successfully managing expenses, sharing information and improving service. Results By offering a forward-thinking emergency housing solution that included simplified invoicing, a consolidated leasing process and more suitable housing accommodations, Jigsaw was able to help the client save a significant amount of time, money and resources. As a result, the Housing Association experienced a savings of more than 20,000 GBP annually in taxes and reduced daily accommodation rates by approximately 12/day GBP for each apartment. To learn more about this case study or how Jigsaw can work with you to provide a temporary housing solution for your catastrophe response teams, please call 0845 0000 792 or complete the form below.
Q: What is the role of catastrophe response (CAT) teams in emergency housing solutions? A: Catastrophe response (CAT) teams are deployed by leading Housing Associations to support displaced tenants during disasters. These teams provide immediate assistance and coordinate the relocation of affected residents to comfortable, long-term accommodations.
Q: What are the key requirements for an emergency housing solution for CAT teams? A: The key requirements for an emergency housing solution for CAT teams include 24/7/365 access to comfortable accommodations, flexible leasing terms and length of stay options, and convenient locations in impacted areas. Additionally, the solution should offer consolidated and centralised billing to manage costs effectively.
Q: What challenges do Housing Associations face in securing emergency housing for CAT teams? A: Housing Associations face challenges such as higher lodging costs, increased incidental charges, and greater financial risks due to team members negotiating lease terms without company authorisation. They need a comprehensive solution that reduces costs, streamlines billing, and allows CAT teams to focus on tenant needs.
Q: How did Jigsaw assist the Housing Association in overcoming these challenges? A: Jigsaw provided the Housing Association with furnished apartments for extended stays over 30 days. This solution consolidated disaster-related employee costs, reduced staff overtime spent on invoicing, eliminated short-term stay hotel taxes, and negotiated exceptional leasing terms for longer stays.
Q: What cost savings were achieved by using Jigsaw's emergency housing solution? A: By using furnished apartments instead of hotel rooms and consolidating all disaster-related employee costs, the Housing Association saved more than 20,000 GBP annually in taxes and reduced daily accommodation rates by approximately 12 GBP per apartment.
Q: How did centralisation improve operating efficiencies for the Housing Association? A: Centralisation through Jigsaw improved operating efficiencies by providing a single source for all housing needs, streamlining CATS team location tracking, eliminating unproductive lease term negotiations, and increasing management time for repairs or relocation.
Q: What benefits did furnished apartments offer to the Housing Association's employees? A: Furnished apartments offered a comfortable, home-like environment with larger living spaces, full-size kitchens, and separate living rooms. This allowed employees to focus less on the stress of being away from home and more on meeting the needs of displaced tenants.
Q: How did enhanced access to critical information benefit the Housing Association? A: Enhanced access to centralised event data allowed for simplified and consolidated catastrophe reporting. This provided improved reporting features crucial for managing expenses, sharing information, and improving service.
Q: What were the overall results of Jigsaw's emergency housing solution for the Housing Association? A: Jigsaw's forward-thinking emergency housing solution saved the Housing Association significant time, money, and resources. The solution included simplified invoicing, a consolidated leasing process, and more suitable housing accommodations, resulting in substantial financial savings and operational efficiencies.
Q: How can Jigsaw help other organisations with their emergency housing needs? A: Jigsaw can provide temporary housing solutions for catastrophe response teams by offering consolidated leasing, simplified invoicing, and suitable long-term accommodations. For more information, organisations can contact Jigsaw at 0845 0000 792 or complete the form provided.
