As the development of social and affordable housing ramps up in Australia, boosted by the Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund, we explore the requirements of this specialist sector.
We look at how digital technology, in the form of smart access solutions, can help architects and developers to design affordable housing that is safe, secure, manageable and environmentally responsible.
Smart access control replaces traditional locks and keys with electronic locks, operated with an access credential or digital key, managed through a centralised software system.
It helps to meet the needs of the social and affordable housing sector.
Residents must feel safe in their home, so security is a top priority.
They need hassle-free access themselves but want to know there are controls on who else can enter.
Smart access control provides easy access for residents, keeps out non-authorised people and offers limited access for contractors and deliveries.
If a credential is lost or a tenant moves out access can instantly be revoked to eliminate the risk of security breaches.
Social and affordable housing is often run on tight budgets and limited resources.
A smart access control system enables remote management—for example locking and unlocking doors—without needing to have staff on site.
Operators with multiple properties can manage their entire portfolio from the same single console.
Operators can streamline onboarding of new tenants by integrating smart access control with their lease management system, so that when a tenant’s application is accepted, they are automatically issued a credential, which is revoked on the day that the tenancy ends.
Operators have to know who has accessed (or attempted to access) which areas and be able to detect doors left open, or forced.
A smart access control system tracks access and provides clear audit reports and alerts.
Engage with a smart access control expert early—smart access control delivers the greatest value when it is designed into the building from the start. SALTO, for example, works with you to shape the solution and answer the following key points.
Wired or wireless— wireless access control, powered by batteries, can be installed faster and for a considerably lower cost, as there are no cables and associated construction work. It is a particularly cost-effective option for redevelopments and heritage buildings. Wired solutions have a higher cost but require no battery management.
Self-hosted or SaaS—a self-hosted system has higher set up and ongoing costs for IT equipment and staff. A cloud-based service puts all infrastructure, capacity management and security in the hands of the provider for a monthly (OPEX) fee.
Door and lock types—this will depend on the building aesthetic, combined with cost. SALTO has a dedicated social housing range of affordable door furniture, designed to manage high traffic usage at a lower price point and which has the batteries located outside, easily accessible to the property manager, so batteries can be replaced without disturbing the residents.
Credential types—consider the access credentials the operator wants to offer to tenants; an access card, fob or wristband, or a digital key via an app on the tenant’s mobile phone.
Base building or base plus apartments—an access control solution can be specified just for the base building—main doors, car park, lifts and shared areas—or it can cover apartments as well. The SALTO solution is easily extendable—giving you the opportunity to start with the base building but readily add the apartments at a later stage, particularly if funding is limited at the start.
Environmental sustainability—a smart access solution contributes to designing an environmentally responsible building, for example, remote management significantly reduces travel by operators between multiple sites. A sustainably developed solution, such as SALTO, whose products are all carbon neutral, and who offers free battery recycling, can further reduce the operator’s carbon footprint.
Once you have made decisions on these design considerations, a vendor such as SALTO can help you to plan in more detail, including models, technology, and finishes. They will work with you to mark up floor plans with product numbers, develop a bill of materials and create plans for cabling, data points and power.
With the right considerations and engagement from the start, a smart access solution can significantly enhance your next social and affordable housing project.
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