About DHA
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) was established in 1988 to provide housing for members of the Australian Defence Force and their families. We provide a complete housing solution, offering property management and relocation services for our customers.
Our staff work to support Defence members at a number of Housing Management Centres (HMCs) in major regional centres and a number of outposts located around Australia to help families move when the ADF member is posted to a new location.
DHA's head office is also located in Canberra and provides operational, financial, information technology, human resources, communications and corporate support to the organisation.
Vision
Excellence in Defence Housing and Relocation Services
DHA implements Defence housing and relocations policy for ADF members and their families. To achieve excellence in Defence Housing and Relocation Services DHA is required to provide responsive and supportive services, particularly in times of high ADF operational activity. Our staff members understand the needs of their customers and have detailed knowledge of Defence housing-related policies which enables us to achieve our vision to the benefit of Defence and its members.
Mission
To deliver total housing and relocation services that meet Defence operational and client needs through a strong customer and business focus
The mission requires DHA to provide housing where and when it is required, at a standard that supports Defence in the operational capability, recruitment and retention of highly trained personnel. Considerable flexibility is required to meet the changing housing requirements of a mobile Defence Force in a dynamic residential investment market.
Key Goals
DHA's key goals are to:
- meet the operational needs of the Department of Defence for housing;
- contribute to morale of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families;
- act in accordance with sound commercial practice;
- obtain a reasonable rate of return;
- be accountable to responsible Ministers and Parliament for outcomes;
- enhance the transparency of services provided to Defence; and
- comply with other objectives of the Australian Government.
Corporate Objectives
DHA's corporate objectives are to:
- provide housing and related services that enhance Defence's operational capability, retention and recruitment objectives;
- provide relocation services that facilitate Defence's mobility;
- meet agreed shareholder financial requirements;
- provide value to Defence and other clients;
- attract and retain lessors and other investors;
- operate commercially, efficiently and innovatively; and
- attract, develop and retain commercially minded, customer-focused staff.
Facts and figures
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) was established as a statutory authority under the Defence Housing Australia Act 1987. DHA manages around 17,000 residences in all states and territories of Australia, representing around $7 billion worth of housing stock. Over 60 per cent of these residences are owned by private investors and leased back to DHA through the Sale and Leaseback (SLB) Program. DHA manages approximately 24,500 relocations for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families each year.
Construction and Acquisition
DHA executes a comprehensive construction and acquisition program to meet Defence housing requirements. More than 800 new properties per year are provisioned through construction or acquisition, the majority of which are sold and then leased back.
Sale and Leaseback Program
To assist in generating funds for the provision of new housing, the Sale and Leaseback Program was launched in 1996 under the Defence Housing Australia brand.
Each year a number of DHA owned properties are sold to investors through the Sale and Leaseback (SLB) program. As DHA is a Government Business Enterprise, other property investments can not usually match the security of income provided by DHA, with zero vacancy risk and guaranteed income for the term of the lease.