Results in from Arnhem Healthy Homes survey
Social housing tenants in the Arnhem region have shared insights through a recently completed Healthy Homes survey, helping tailor future housing upgrades.
Partnering with HealthHabitat, our teams surveyed tenants across the region, gathering feedback to better understand the specific needs and preferences of the remote communities.
In Gunyangara, the team successfully surveyed all 26 homes scheduled in the program, achieving 100% completion rate; and in Yirrkala, 108 out of 111 homes were surveyed, reaching 98%.
The Healthy Homes project aims to improve health outcomes by enhancing essential housing infrastructure, also known as ‘health hardware’. These include key elements like water supply, sanitation and food storage.
Evidence shows that these improvements reduce health risks, diseases, and injuries.
The program is built on 9 healthy living practices, which focus on creating safer, healthier living environments through practical improvements.
The program aims to provide:
- improved hygiene and sanitation: Enhancing washing facilities and ensuring safe wastewater removal
- health and safety enhancements: Addressing overcrowding, minimising the impact of animals, inspects and vermin, and improving temperate control
- nutrition and food storage support: Upgrading food storage to ensure safe food preparation and reduce the risk of contamination.
We’re also working alongside Aboriginal organisations and the environmental health workforce to strengthen community knowledge of healthy living practices and deliver programs focused on housing and hygiene.
In collaboration with Menzies School of Health, our teams are evaluating the health and social outcomes of the program, using these insights to refine and improve service delivery models.
Wes Moore A/Regional Director, Arnhem, highlighted the fantastic communication and regular engagement between teams and expressed enthusiasm about the next phase.
‘As a region we look forward to seeing the program continue into survey fix 2 and beyond.’
To learn more about the program, visit Healthy Homes.
