25 years of DHA

Established as a statutory authority, assumed responsibility for more than 23,000 properties Australia-wide (76% of the Defence housing requirement) with about 17,000 of these requiring replacement or refurbishment to bring them up to an acceptable community standard.

Implemented administrative structures including appointment of a Board of Directors, Managing Director, small Head Office in Canberra and a network of regional Housing Management Centres.

Embarked on a considerable capital works, upgrade and improvement program, with Government commitment of not less than $750 million (in 1986 dollars) for capital expenditure over 10 years.

Initiated corporate planning, including the development of strategic objectives and performance indicators, as well as strategies to:

• pursue large residential development and construction projects in collaboration with the private sector
• access commercial borrowings, and
• establish long-term leasing arrangements with individual and institutional investors.

Developed consultative arrangements with the Australian Defence Force, Defence personnel and their families, and other interest groups such as the National Consultative Group of Service Spouses.

Began to formally survey tenants, with the first questionnaire reporting high levels of satisfaction with the overall quality of housing provided and the Authority’s repairs, maintenance and improvements service.

Continued to improve the quality of Defence housing through construction, acquisition, leasing and disposals, including innovative construction trials to deliver housing suited to tropical climates.

Received industry recognition for its activities, with several housing projects being awarded for excellence including a medium-density project at Larrakeyah in Darwin winning the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ Robyn Boyd Award.

To improve service delivery undertook joint studies with the Department of Defence into their process of housing allocation, management of vacant stock and removals.

Successfully launched a Sale and Leaseback program directed to private investors to fund the Authority’s operations and to repay a substantial amount of debt.

After 10 years of operation, supplied 21,849 houses (nearly 88% of the Defence housing requirement). Within a further two years all DHA supplied housing, in all locations, was compliant with, or exceeded, acceptable community standards.

Assigned responsibility for allocating houses to Defence tenants and introduced new arrangements for managing the cleaning of houses vacated by tenants.

Signed a Services Agreement with the Department of Defence, formalising the services to be provided to Defence and establishing risk-sharing arrangements.

Launched a new brand to signify a new era of providing Defence housing and potentially expanding the services provided to Defence. The Home of Service is adopted as a positioning statement to recognise how the Authority seeks to be recognised in all its activities.

Assumed responsibility for managing relocation services, providing a total housing service to Defence, and launched a web-based tool to help Defence members and their families locate and reserve their next DHA home.

A new range of inner-city apartments, townhouses and well-located detached houses in metropolitan areas is offered to Defence personnel as an alternative to the traditional service residence offering.

Significant changes to the Defence Housing Authority Act 1987 are passed by Parliament allowing the Authority to broaden its functions to provide housing and related services to other Commonwealth agencies. A name change to Defence Housing Australia and new corporate image take effect.

Began a trial to provide off-base accommodation for single Defence members
in Darwin.

Established a major project to oversee the implementation of New Housing Classification Policy; a new system for classifying properties and higher minimum housing standards which align with DHA’s goal to provide a more modern, versatile stock portfolio, with greater appeal to tenants and investors.

Sold $220.1 million of residential property to Westpac Funds Management Limited on a leaseback basis, diversifying funding sources beyond the successful Sale and Leaseback program which is focused on retail investors.

The Rex D. Dog children’s brand is created by DHA in consultation with Defence interest groups, assisting children of Defence personnel with relocating to a new home and demonstrating DHA’s commitment to even its youngest stakeholders.

DHA builds 829 homes in addition to its business as usual construction program as part of the Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan. This demonstrates DHA’s capacity as a residential developer and paves the way for more commercially-focused development programs.

Established The Services Agreement with Defence is extended to at least 2023 and new agreements with Defence are signed for the expansion of off-base accommodation for single Defence members across Australia and the provision of a Living In Accommodation Booking and Allocation Service.

DHA DHA Investment Management Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DHA, is formed to enable DHA to establish an unlisted property trust to hold DHA properties on sale and leaseback terms and for units in the fund to be sold to investors.