Housing associations play an increasingly important role in today’s housing market. They are leading suppliers of affordable both rented and shared ownership homes, major partners in regeneration and estate renewal, and providers of a wide range of vital welfare services to the most vulnerable in our communities. Housing associations (or Registered Social Landlords – RSLs) form the largest not-for-profit grouping in the country, working closely with both private and public organizations. The sector has grown dramatically following the large-scale voluntary transfer of council homes in the 1990s.

The sector has doubled its output of new affordable homes since a low point in 2003 to around 45,000 and expanded its range of housing options, including offering more intermediate housing and some homes for sale. As major owners of assets with access to private finance, the Government wants the sector – along with local councils – to play a more active part in the supply of new homes and an even greater role in helping turn around deprived mono-tenure estates.