Data Analytics in the Cloud – Using Technology to Help Communities Combat Homelessness

by | Mar 20, 2019

Track 1: Applied Analytics and Data Visualization | Room: 1151
Alistair McLean, Senior Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services

The disparate nature of current homeless information management systems limits a community’s ability to identify trends or emerging needs, measure internal performance goals, and make data driven decisions about the effective deployment of limited resources. With the shift in recent years to whole person care, there is increasing demand to connect these disparate systems to affect better outcomes.

In this presentation, we have outlined four pillars of how AWS technology and services can act as a best practice to organizations looking to leverage the cloud for Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS):

  • Connect disparate data sources using a data lake design pattern.
  • Make predictions using data analytics workloads, big data, and machine learning.
  • Manage identity and vital records for people experiencing or at risk for experiencing homelessness.
  • Leverage the AWS Business Associates Addendum (BAA) and associated services for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance and NIST based assurance frameworks.

Please see this white paper for background information.

Alistair is a Principal Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services covering New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for State and Local Government customers.  Alistair also specializes in Machine Learning & AI and Big Data Analytics.  Outside of work Alistair enjoys spending time with his wife Norah and their 2 year-old daughter Aurora. He is also a keen cyclist and skier when time permits.