Rethinking financial planning in English social housing

For housing associations in the UK, financial planning tools have become an increasing source of frustration. Concerns often center around inefficient workflows, limited flexibility, inadequate scenario analysis, and an overall lack of innovation to meet the sector's needs. These challenges make it harder to respond strategically to policy shifts, market changes, and long-term investment pressures.

The Dutch approach: 30 years of sector-specific development

Over the past three decades, Dutch housing associations have adopted a different model: WALS, a financial planning and risk management application. Developed by Ortec Finance in close collaboration with the sector, WALS has become the standard in the Netherlands. Widely adopted by many housing associations, it continues to evolve alongside regulatory, societal and financial developments.

Why this matters to the CFO

In ongoing pilots across the UK, we are focusing specifically on finance professionals who need greater efficiency in working with their planning tool and the data connections behind it. For many, these pain points have become a significant hurdle.

WALS offers several features designed to relieve these pressures:

Tighter control for FP&A teams
With improved support for subsidiary reporting and bank covenant tracking, WALS enables finance teams to operate with greater confidence and transparency, particularly those navigating complex funding structures.

Hindered by outdated Excel spreadsheets and manual data processes
In today’s world, automated data connections should be standard practice. They not only eliminate tedious manual tasks for financial planners but also give CFOs greater confidence that the information is fully aligned with back-office systems, accurate down to the last detail.

Stronger collaboration across functions
WALS enables an integrated approach: bringing CFOs together with treasury managers on funding strategies, asset managers on up–to-date retrofit and new build programs and technology officers on ensuring data integrity. With its focus on a single point of truth, WALS makes it easier to manage and maintain consistent data quality across departments.

Flexibility
Access to granular data provides significantly greater flexibility when analysing plans. WALS allows you to view and assess performance by region, tenure, property type, and more, making it simpler to explore alternative strategies and understand their potential impact.

From insight to action

While WALS may not yet be a familiar name in the UK, it represents a credible, proven alternative that aligns with the current realities facing UK housing associations: the need for control, clarity, efficiency and forward-thinking financial insight.

There is another way, and it has been tested and trusted by peers facing the same challenges—just across the Channel. Download this leaflet for your board level conversation.

Download the leaflet

If you have any questions, please reach out to David via the contact details below. Our team is here to help.