In 1986 Shelter Scotland held a Homeless Seminar at Ayr Town Hall. Shortly after, a group of local interested people came together to form Ayr Housing Aid Centre which was developed and registered as a charity on 28th May 1986.

Originally financially supported by Shelter and the Local Authority, we have since grown from strength to strength and continue to develop and grow to meet local demand and help those in housing need.

We help residents across the whole of South Ayrshire with housing issues by providing free, accredited, independent Services.

A major part of the Centre’s work is to provide information, advice, advocacy and representation. Our Engagement Services aim to prevent homelessness and ensure those who are making decisions on their housing have accurate information to make an informed choice with the appropriate support.

Primarily the Centre operates in South Ayrshire although we do actively signpost those out with South Ayrshire to an appropriate local service where they live, or a National Service such as Shelter or Citizens Advice Scotland.  Our Prison Housing Advice Service covers both East and South Ayrshire areas.

The Centre was managed by a Committee of volunteer lay persons as an Unincorporated Charitable Organisation (SC018186) from 28.05.1986 – 01.10.2020 when we became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), (SC049609).

We are registered with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) and the Centre is now managed by a Board of Trustees who oversee the strategic, financial and policy direction of the Centre. See more information here