About Us

The Aboriginal Housing Company Ltd (AHC) is an independent non-profit with charity status and the first community housing provider in Australia, incorporated in 1973 as a company limited by guarantee. It is an all Aboriginal governed organisation, located in the heart of Redfern, which lies in the traditional lands of the Gadigal people, part of the Eora Nation.

The company was formed in direct response to the widespread discrimination Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experienced in the private rental market. The AHC is self-funded and operates on income derived from rental properties. Our affordable housing is located across Sydney and country regions in NSW.

We are redeveloping our land known as “the Block”, with the “Pemulwuy Project”, bounded by Eveleigh, Vine, Louis and Caroline Streets, Redfern. The development consists of a mixed use site which will include affordable housing for 62 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, childcare, student accommodation, a gym, a gallery and commercial/retail space. The affordable housing was completed in December 2020, the “Col James Student Accommodation” was completed in July 2021, the gym and gallery are near completion, and the commercial/retail space and childcare are due for completion in 2022.

HISTORY - Redeveloping the Block

The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) has considered the option of redeveloping its properties at “The Block”, Redfern since about 1987. In the early 1980’s a few of the terraces occupied by Aboriginal families on the Block were renovated in an attempt to improve social conditions for residents. However, these efforts were seriously undermined by the vicious cycle of drugs, crime and government complacency over the next twenty years in relation to law and order and housing issues in Redfern.

Pemulwuy Project Concept Master Plan

AHC in collaboration with community groups, local police and residents turned around the bleak prospects for “the Block”. The active role of the AHC was preparing plans to completely revitalise “the Block” as an open residential precinct while retaining and celebrating Aboriginal culture. In June 2009 the concept plan for the Pemulwuy Project was finally approved.

A preliminary Environmental Assessment was lodged with the Department of Planning NSW in 2010. The AHC engaged Deicorp to design and construct the Pemulwuy Project, with the AHC becoming the developer in its own right.

Former Premier Kristina Kenneally supported the AHC’s redevelopment plans and gave the company a grant of $2 million for the Development Application (DA), demolition.

In 2011 the DA was lodged with the Department of Planning and approved on 21st December 2012.