Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL)
Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) is committed to providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. With a network of 42 hostels across Australia, AHL supports almost 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people annually, offering not just a bed but also three meals a day in a culturally safe and welcoming environment.
Established in the 1970s, AHL has remained steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that First Nations people can access culturally safe and affordable accommodation when away from home. AHL continues to ensure that their network of hostels provides safe, comfortable accommodation for residents.
The challenge: Limited condition data, lifecycle forecasting, and risk management
In 2022, AHL was looking to improve the management and upkeep of its property portfolio. With 42 hostels spread across the country — many in regional and remote areas — AHL was looking to implement an effective strategic asset management plan that could assist the company in future planning.
AHL required detailed building condition reports, including life cycle analysis and costings for each site, to create a comprehensive 10-year capital works and maintenance plan. These reports would be crucial for making strategic decisions regarding facilities management and long-term risk management. To help ensure that AHL’s hostels continue to meet the needs of residents.
"Ensuring that our hostel facilities meet the needs of our residents is crucial,” said AHL’s Acting Director of Facilities. “Data-driven planning enables us to efficiently manage our hostel facilities.”
The Solution: Strategic asset management and condition data
SPM Assets adopted a comprehensive approach that went beyond just delivering building condition reports. Our team implemented a solution that combined surveys, reporting, and access to SPM Assets’ proprietary asset management software so that AHL had an evidence-based asset management plan.
Key deliverables included:
- Building condition assessments - thorough assessments of all 42 sites to evaluate the current condition, functionality, and performance of the buildings.
- Lifecycle analysis and costing - detailed analysis to support AHL’s long-term capital works and maintenance planning, aligned with industry best practices.
- Asset management software - a platform for ongoing asset management, allowing for real-time tracking and future forecasting of building conditions.
"We appreciated SPM Assets' detailed approach," said AHL’s Acting Director of Facilities. "Their understanding of our operational needs helped ensure the project was a success.”
The Results: Enhanced asset management strategy and compliance
With SPM Assets’ support, AHL successfully established a complete and up-to-date asset register across all 42 hostels. The asset management data collected allowed AHL to:
- Develop a strategic 10-year capital works plan - the lifecycle analysis and condition data provided AHL with the insights they needed to prioritise maintenance and capital investment so that resources are allocated effectively.
- Improved understanding of asset compliance and risk management - with generalist compliance assessments and a thorough understanding of asset conditions, AHL can now better manage risks so that all facilities meet the required standards.
- Improve future decision-making - AHL can now track asset conditions in real-time, allowing them to make informed decisions about maintenance and investments moving forward.
"The solution provided by SPM Assets has met our needs, and the data enables us to effectively plan for the future and ensure that our hostels remain comfortable for our residents."
Through its collaboration with SPM Assets, AHL has not only optimised its asset management strategy but has also made sure that it can continue to deliver on its purpose of providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people.
If you'd like to discuss how we can help you adopt a strategic approach to your asset management, don't hesitate to get in touch.
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Haumaru Housing’s overarching goal was to have one source of truth for its asset management activities. There was a need to move away from purely reactive maintenance, to refurbishments, and to planning new residential villages. It needed evidence-based projects to bring the villages up to the standard aligned with Haumaru Housing’s goals.
Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) is committed to providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. With a network of 42 hostels across Australia, AHL supports almost 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people annually, offering not just a bed, but also three meals a day in a culturally safe and welcoming environment.