Aboriginal hostels limited (AHL)
gEOSPATIAL analysis
Evaluation of a national network in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
The challenge
In 2018, the AHL Board of Executives initiated strategic planning for a review of core operations. Internally, the Executive Support team were tasked with conducting research into the medical stream of hostel facilities. The challenge was to understand the relevant (and changing) population demand, and clarify how and where AHL delivers accommodation services to future generations of First Nations Australians.
THE PROCESS
In partnership with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Samantha used geospatial mapping alongside the national network of hostels to investigate two key questions: (1) what is the capacity of current AHL medical services to meet demand, taking into account the physical accessibility of those services to potential clients? and (2) where are the areas of potential over- or under- supply, capacity and/or unmet demand across Australia?
THE OUTCOME
The data analysis and mapping project provided the organisation an opportunity to closely evaluate fit-for-purpose facilities by location and needs of community demographics, and therefore to better accommodate and support First Nations people.