50th Anniversary - Housing, support and care in Wales

50th anniversary

Follow the timeline below to see our journey from 1968 when we had seven founding members and less than 300 homes to where we are today, one of the largest providers of housing, care and support in Wales and employing close to 1,250 people.

Your stories

Do you have any fond memories or examples of how Hafod has helped in Making Lives Better? Will you be celebrating a 50th birthday or anniversary and if so, what are your plans to mark the occasion? Let us know!

1968

Hafod Housing Association was formed to provide low cost, high quality rented homes for those in need across South East Wales.

1976

We developed our first 22 homes at Malborough Close in Barry.

1981

We acquired Arcon House in Old St Mellons from Arcon Housing Association. Today this provides retirement housing for over 55’s. All homes are self-contained and residents have access to additional support if needed.

1983

Hafod took over the management of the Gwynfa Hostel in Cardiff from Gwynfa Housing Association.

Still in operation, we provide support for those with mental health issues

1984

Our development at Bayliss Court, Cardiff was one of the first shared ownership schemes in Wales. To date, we have helped over 200 people onto the property ladder.

1986

We built Parc Hafod, a 27 bed sheltered scheme in Whitchurch, Cardiff for people suffering or recovering from mental illness.

1989

We were chosen by Cardiff Council to partner in a major development of 409 new homes in St Mellons. The finance to support this was imaginative and Hafod Mutual Society became one of the largest co-operative societies in Wales.

1990

We won the tender to manage 10 residential homes in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. There are now 102 members of staff.

1991

A sheltered scheme for the elderly at Heath Park Court in Cardiff was completed. This was one of the first flexi-tenure schemes in Wales and has allowed elderly people to rent and part-own homes in an attractive, secure and supportive setting.

1993

In partnership with Cardiff Council and Cardiff Action for Single Homeless (CASH) we developed the Huggard Centre. Opened by the Queen, this emergency day centre and night shelter for the homeless remains a valuable facility today.

1995

Our Bridgend office was opened by Mayor of Ogwr, Cllr G M Evans. The town-centre location enabled us to bring our services closer to our tenants.

We also officially welcomed tenants to our very first home in Bridgend. Today we have over 1,300 homes in the County with more due for completion this year.

1997

We held our first major tenant conference to gather feedback to help shape our services.

1998

Hafod Care was established to enable us to expand into supported housing, residential and nursing care.

1999

Judy Keenor became the first female chair of Hafod Housing. She remained a Hafod Board member until 2018.

2000

We relocated our head office from Cathedral Road, Cardiff to St Hilary Court, Culverhouse Cross. This was officially opened on 15 May 2000 by Paul Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Wales.

2000

Our Community Focus Unit was set up to enable us to work more closely with residents, addressing wider issues and concerns together.

2002

We took over the management of four care homes in Torfaen, increasing our workforce by 180 staff.
By now, we manage 4,238 properties with 342 staff members. Our turnover is £18m.

2002

We re-developed and extended a building in Porthcawl to establish our Picton Court care home. Today, the 76-bed home provides 24 hour care alongside regular social activities.

2006

We launched our in-house cleaning and handyman service. Original team members Jayne and Chris are still with Hafod and have been joined by 9 colleagues who all help to keep our communities clean and maintained.

2008

Yellow Wales became a subsidiary of Hafod. The charity supports young people aged 16-25 to access training, earn qualifications and to find employment.

2008

We completed our Brocastle care home which is close to Ewenny in Bridgend. It provides residential accommodation for 80 older people aged 65+, and even boasts an on-site pub for residents.

2009

We launched Hafod Property Services (HPS), our in house property maintenance team to provide repairs and other services to those living in our homes.

2009

We completed Ty Penrhos, our purpose built care home in Caerphilly. This modern home offers high quality accommodation and care to over 60 residents.

2009

We completed our 100th mortgage rescue, confirming our status as the UK’s leading social mortgage rescue organisation. We were instrumental in the creation of the Welsh Housing Partnership - launched by Jane Hutt and Huw Lewis this helps attract funding to increase the availability of affordable homes in Wales.

2009

We launched Cartrefi Hafod to broaden our work in delivering housing solutions. The team specialise in sourcing temporary accommodation in the private sector to help house homeless individuals and families.

2012

We completed Ty Cwm, the first extra care scheme in Merthyr. It is made up of 60 one and two-bedroom apartments and offers communal facilities such as a restuarant and a hair and beauty salon.

2012

We completed our Woodcroft care home in Cardiff. We also opened Dol y Hafren, our close care scheme, next door. This provides independent supported living apartments where residents can access additional services from the care home including hot meals.

2014

This was the Vale of Glamorgan’s first extra care scheme and provides independent living in 42 purpose built apartments. It offers the benefit of flexible housing and care support based on the needs of individual residents. This landmark building is now a well-know and focal part of the community in Barry.

2016

We opened Ty Heulog, the first new build Extra Care scheme in Rhondda Cynon Taf costing £8 million. This scheme provides 40 self-contained apartments, specially designed to provide people over 55 with the support they need to live independent lives.

2016

We created a new brand bringing a consistent look to the organisations in our Group.

2018

We are really proud of our achievements over the past 50 years. Today we have 5,700 properties across 10 local authorities, employ over 1,250 staff, support 16,000 people and have a turnover in excess of £50 million

2018 onwards

We launched Caring for the Future, our movement to transform housing and care for the people of Wales. Join us and to find out more at www.caringforthefuture.co.uk