In 1985/86 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 the then Kyle and Carrick District Council and Strathclyde Regional Council and Shelter, we have since grown from strength to strength and continue to develop and grow to meet local demand to help those in housing need.

AHAC help residents across the whole of South Ayrshire with housing issues by providing free, accredited, independent Housing Advice Services. Some services also cover parts of East Ayrshire area. 

A major part of AHAC’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 housing support. From 1.4.26 Engagement services were expanded to include all Housing Support within South Ayrshire.

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

AHAC was established by a group of volunteer Committee members as an Unincorporated Charitable Organisation (SC018186) from 28.5.1986.  On 1.10.2020 we became a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), (SC049609). 

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