The building was squatted on 23 June 1990, and became a self-managed social centre, which hosted migrants and refugees, an infoshop, community activities, and political groups.
[1] In 2004, the owner of the house (the Communist Party of Austria, led by Walter Baier) sold the EKH to a real estate company, whose director was accused of being a former right-wing extremist.
[1] After a long struggle with many protests and actions, a company with close contacts to the municipality of Vienna bought the building in July 2005.
In response, anti-fascists organised a counter-demonstration the next day and this resulted in 200-300 neo-fascists attacking the EKH building, throwing stones, bottles and firebombs.
[3] The situation then created a diplomatic war of words between Austria and Turkey, with the Turkish ambassador being invited to the Foreign Ministry.