The History of the Community Housing Advocacy Project (CHAP)

Back in the not so distant past, from 1985 to 1997, the Redburn & Vineburgh Community Association (RVCA) held Welfare Rights Surgeries.  These surgeries were where members of the general public could go and receive advice and information on DWP benefits. 

In the course of these surgeries the Welfare Rights Officers became aware that a large percentage of people also had housing problems.  

With this in mind committee members from the RVCA approached the local housing provider with a view to setting up housing surgeries, they were informed that these surgeries were not feasible.  This decision lead to the birth of CHAP in April 1997.

By June 1997 approximately fifteen local people were recruited and trained as Housing Advocates and Management Committee Members.  In the summer of 1998, CHAP took over the lease of 159 Old Caley Road in Irvine, and relocated to bigger premises at Marlin House, Heatherhouse Road in May 2003 and we are still here today.