Housing associations are independent organisations operating at the intersection of private and public sector, providing affordable housing to people who cannot afford market prices. They are one of the most important elements of the UK's social housing system, building and managing a combined stock of around two and a half million homes in England alone.

How Housing Associations Are Structured

Housing associations are registered providers of social housing, a legal category that includes both traditional housing associations and community land trusts. They are not-for-profit organisations in the sense that any surplus generated is reinvested in housing rather than distributed to shareholders. However, they operate commercially in many respects, raising private finance, developing market-rate homes to cross-subsidise affordable development, and managing large property portfolios with significant asset values.

What Housing Associations Provide

The main housing products provided by housing associations are social rent, where rents are set using the government's formula at approximately 50 to 60 percent of market rent, affordable rent, at up to 80 percent of market rent, and shared ownership. Many associations also develop and manage supported housing for older people, people with learning disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness. Some of the largest associations, known as G15 housing associations in London or Homes England strategic partners nationally, develop tens of thousands of new homes per year.

Applying for Housing Association Housing

Social rent and affordable rent properties from housing associations are typically allocated through the same housing register operated by the local council that covers council housing. Applicants are assessed for eligibility and prioritised based on need. Shared ownership properties are advertised through the government's Help to Buy agent system and are available to first-time buyers and existing homeowners who cannot afford to buy outright, subject to income limits.

Tenant Rights

Housing association tenants have broadly similar rights to council tenants, including security of tenure in most circumstances, the right to repair obligations on the landlord, and in some cases the right to purchase their home under preserved Right to Buy. Tenants of newer housing association properties built after the large-scale transfers of council housing may not have the same Right to Buy entitlement as council tenants.

Summary

Housing associations are not-for-profit registered providers of social and affordable housing, managing around 2.5 million homes in England. They provide social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership. Allocation of social rent properties is through the local council's housing register. The Regulator of Social Housing oversees standards. The Housing Ombudsman provides independent dispute resolution for tenants.