Havelock Housing Association

Havelock Housing Association provides a range of affordable housing options for people who are experiencing financial disadvantage, and specialised accommodation for people with a disability in the ACT and Southern NSW region. Havelock House opened in 1951, and became home to public servants. There was less demand for hostel accommodation during the 1970s, and under The Hon Malcolm Fraser’s government in 1981, the sale of Havelock House was announced. The sale did not proceed, and a small section of the building became an office for the Australian Federal Police. In 1983, the first Hawke Ministry handed over full control and use of the building to the AFP despite intense lobbying by various welfare groups. The decision, when made public, elicited a quick and powerful response from concerned community groups. By early July a picket line was in place outside Havelock House, which remained in place for 16 weeks through a Canberra winter. The Australian Social Welfare Union coordinated the picket with support from the ACT Council of Social Services. Numerous unions, community organisations and hundreds of individuals gave their time. The picket ended in December 1983 with a settlement, which committed the government to: • Transfer Havelock House to low-cost housing use when alternative office accommodation was built for the AFP • Undertake an inquiry into homelessness in the ACT and surrounding regions. The building was officially handed over from the Department of Territories to Havelock Housing Association on 10th April 1988, and the first residents moved in. Since then we have ensured affordable accommodation for people on low incomes. Properties in other locations across Canberra gradually came under the Association’s management and today we are one of the largest Community Housing providers in the ACT. Havelock Housing is now a nationally registered as a Tier 2 Community Housing Provider, and one of the largest social housing providers in the ACT.