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How housing associations work

Housing associations are separate from councils, but often work closely with them to offer flats and houses to local people. For example, people who become housing association tenants may have originally applied for housing through their council.

Many housing associations own and manage properties transferred to them by a local council. They vary in size – some own and manage just a few properties and some own thousands of properties.

Housing associations are almost always run on a ‘not-for-profit’ basis. This means that any money left over after collecting rent and other charges from tenants is used to:

• repair and maintain properties
• buy or build new properties – housing associations may also get financial help from the government to build new homes

• Find local housing associations on the Tenant Services Authority website Opens new window

Housing associations – types of housing

Most housing associations provide a range of housing suited to single people, couples and families. Some also provide housing for people who need certain support. This includes people who:

• are older or less mobile
• need somewhere urgently to stay – eg because of domestic violence at home
• are leaving local authority care – eg when they reach 18 years old
• are disabled
• are recovering from drug or alcohol problems
• have a mental health problem

This is known as either 'supported' or 'sheltered' housing and includes things like medical or care staff who are on-call in case of emergencies.

Properties may also be specially designed, adapted or run for disabled people, eg wheelchair-users or people with learning disabilities.

• Supported housing and care homes (disabled people section)

• Home, care and community (pensions and retirement planning section)

• Young people leaving care (young people section)

Standards of housing associations and regulation

The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) regulates nearly all housing associations to help make sure they are run properly. It is independent from the government.
 
All housing associations that are registered with TSA must offer homes to their tenants that meet certain standards. These standards are set by the TSA and include giving tenants the chance to be involved in the how their housing association is run.

If you are not happy with your housing association, you can complain. See 'Council and housing association homes – standards, service and complaints' for more information.

You can also find out more about the TSA and housing standards on the TSA website.

• Council and housing association homes - standards, service and complaints

• Tenant Services Authority Opens new window

Applying for a housing association property

There are two ways to apply for a housing association home – either directly with the housing association or through your local council.

Many housing associations run low-cost home ownership schemes. These let you buy a 'share' of a property and pay rent on the rest of it. You have the option over time of buying more shares until you eventually own the whole property.

See 'Housing associations – applying for a property and home ownership schemes' for more information about finding a place to live.

• Housing associations - applying for a property and home ownership schemes

• Housing association tenants – including the different types of tenancies

More useful links

• Buying and selling a home

• On a low income (money, tax and benefits section)

Useful contacts

• Home and community useful contacts

• A-Z of local councils

• Communities and Local Government Opens new window