What is a housing association?

Housing associations in the UK are independent not-for-profit bodies that provide low-cost 'social housing' for people in housing need. Any trading surplus is used to maintain existing homes and to help finance new ones. Housing associations are now the UK's major providers of new homes for rent; while many also run shared ownership schemes to help people who cannot afford to buy their own homes outright.

There are over 1,200 housing associations in England, currently managing around 2.5 million homes and housing at least twice that many people.

The range of services provided by housing associations covers standard housing management functions (e.g. asset management and major repairs, estate management and rent collection), specialist supported housing services (e.g. sheltered housing and supported living for people with a range of needs), building new homes and working in partnership with local authorities to manage local housing needs. They also provide services such as education, training and health services.

The investment housing associations receive must provide homes that meet local needs. Through regulation, the Tenant Services Authority seeks to ensure that people will want, and be able, to live in these homes, now and in the future.

In England, the National Housing Federation represents housing associations.

Much of the supported accommodation in the UK is also provided by housing associations, with specialist projects for people with mental health or learning disabilities, with substance misuse problems (drugs or alcohol), the formerly homeless, young people, ex-offenders and women fleeing domestic violence.

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What is a housing association?

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