A groundbreaking first for Australia: Private sector software tailored for social, affordable, and disability housing, initially launching in NSW and QLD
MRI Software, a global leader in property technology (PropTech), has introduced a revolutionary solution for Australia’s affordable, social, and disability housing sectors. The new platform, MRI Palace, is now available to Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in New South Wales and Queensland, with plans to expand to other states and territories in the near future. MRI Palace features advanced reporting, compliance, and automated management capabilities designed specifically for the complexities of this sector, all wrapped in a “simply sophisticated” interface.
As a first in Australia, MRI Palace caters to the social sector with features like automated workflows, interactive dashboards for task management, and customizable fields for sector-specific compliance and regulations. The platform also incorporates elements typically used in the private sector, such as automated maintenance management, invoicing and payment functions, advanced business intelligence tools, and a mobile property inspection app that allows CHPs to capture and upload photos and videos directly into the system.
“Australia faces a critical social and affordable housing challenge, with ambitious future targets and an urgent supply-demand crisis. Our social sector deserves the same benefits of predictability, transparency, and efficiency that MRI technology delivers to the private real estate industry, but tailored to their unique needs. By providing an affordable and accessible PropTech solution like MRI Palace, we’re helping accelerate the development and management of diverse and thriving communities.”
David Bowie, Senior Vice President and Executive Managing Director for MRI Software in Asia Pacific
Sean Fogarty, Director of Social Housing Solutions, Asia Pacific at MRI Software, emphasized the positive feedback from sector professionals. He noted that many find existing technology solutions to be outdated and overpriced. MRI Palace represents a refreshing change, offering a user-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional options. By adapting a successful private residential product for the social and affordable housing sector, MRI Palace delivers advanced capabilities at a more accessible price point.
Fogarty added that the work of CHPs is both extensive and crucial for the nation. While media and public attention often focus on the political and economic dimensions of housing for essential workers and vulnerable populations, the sector also needs innovative technology to tackle this modern crisis. He expressed pride in contributing to this solution through MRI Palace.
The cloud-based MRI Palace allows property managers to record, track, and manage client, property, and tenancy details from any location. Features include on-site property inspections with photo and video capabilities, and comprehensive property records covering aspects like rent arrears, funding sources, government agreements, and support services.
MRI Palace integrates seamlessly with other MRI products, partner tools, and third-party technologies, streamlining processes through automated workflows. Key functionalities include:
- Maintenance Management: Accessible via a personalized dashboard within MRI Palace.
- Document Management: Centralized storage for lease agreements, contracts, and other documents with online signature capabilities.
- Invoices and Payments: Automated matching of bank transactions and AI-powered invoice and payment processing.
Notable features highlighted by Australian CHPs include:
- API Integrations: Connecting securely with other software and digital platforms.
- Interactive Dashboards: Allowing property managers to monitor portfolios, prioritize tasks, and set automated reminders.
- Automation Hub: Managing arrears and other processes with user-defined automation rules.
- Business Insights: Analyzing portfolio performance by office, region, and property manager with detailed trend tracking.
- Mobile Inspection App: Uploading photos and videos from site inspections directly into MRI Palace.
This customized version of MRI Palace, developed based on extensive client feedback and industry experience, is designed to simplify the complex workload of housing managers. It aims to make the management of Australia’s social and affordable housing more efficient and transparent.
Availability
The MRI Palace platform for social, affordable, and disability housing providers is now available to CHPs in Queensland and New South Wales, with a rollout planned for Victoria, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and Western Australia in the near future.
