On the 21st November 2006 the Association took over ownership of just over 5,000 affordable homes from Argyll and Bute Council as part of the then Scottish Government’s Community Ownership Programme. Argyll and Bute tenants had voted the previous year to transfer to ACHA with a vote of 89.6 per cent in favour.

Over the 10 years since 2006 ACHA has modernised its homes to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard with an investment programme of over £120 million. Since 2009 the Association has been an active provider of new build housing having built over 300 new homes with plans to build up to another 220 in the next four years.

There have been a number of milestones for ACHA over the years such as the 1000th modernised home, the establishment of an extensive welfare rights service, the programme of new offices, the establishment of Argyll Homes for All the Association’s repairs subsidiary, its Customer Service Centre and Growing our Own.

To recognise the Association’s 10th anniversary ACHA’s Board have agreed to set up its 10/10/10 initiative. This initiative will invest £10,000 per year for 10 years in 10 schools in Argyll and Bute every year, to work in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council to support young people in particular areas where there are clearly identified needs.

Jim Milne, the chairman of ACHA’s Board, said: “The ACHA 10/10/10 initiative is aimed at strengthening the relationship between ACHA and the population of Argyll and Bute by reversing the declining population in our area. This initiative is aimed at assisting our young people to grow, to work, and ultimately to remain within their communities in the future. I know I speak for all those in the ACHA family in urging Argyll and Bute schools to take up, and make best use, of the resource provided through this initiative over the coming 10 years.”

Alastair MacGregor, ACHA’s chief executive, added: “The 10 years seem to have gone by in a flash. At a personal level it has been a roller-coaster. The Association has achieved so much as a young organisation. It would not have happened without the three way partnership between ACHA’s voluntary Board and Area Committee members, the ACHA and AHFA staff teams, and our tenants. We have done a lot but we have so much more to do to meet housing need in all its guises throughout Argyll and Bute. I would just like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to get us to where we are today.”