1.2 Describe the different types of social housing organisations

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Describe the different types of social housing organisations.

People looking for secure, affordable homes often apply through social housing organisations. These organisations exist to give residents a safe place to live if they cannot afford private housing or do not meet strict criteria for mortgages. Social housing organisations play a major role. All these providers share the aim of providing accessible housing, but they differ in structure, funding and decision-making.

Local Authority Housing

Local authorities run some of the oldest forms of social housing in the UK. A local authority is a council, such as a city or borough council, that is set up and funded by government. These bodies have a legal duty to meet local housing needs.

Key features:

Housing is owned and managed by the council.
Rents tend to be lower than other rented properties.
Tenants have secure legal rights. These include the right to repairs and, sometimes, to buy their homes.
Funding mostly comes from central government or rent payments.
Staff work directly for the council and follow national housing policies.

Councils decide who gets a home based on housing need, not first-come-first-served. They use allocation policies to give priority to people with urgent needs, such as families who are homeless or living in overcrowded conditions.

Local authorities carry out repairs, comply with safety rules and collect rent. Residents contact the council for day-to-day issues. Local authorities are also responsible for ongoing property management, conducting safety checks, and running repairs and improvements.

Housing Associations

Housing associations are not-for-profit organisations. They work like charities, although most are registered as not-for-profit companies. They were first set up to tackle housing shortages and poor living conditions.

Main features:

Independence from local councils, but they must follow government rules.
They own, let and maintain homes. Some housing associations own thousands of properties, others only a few.
Money is raised from rents, loans, and sometimes government grants.
Surpluses are reinvested into more housing or improving existing homes.
Governed by a board of unpaid volunteers or paid professionals.
Must be registered and meet standards set by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Housing associations offer a range of housing. This includes general needs housing (for families, singles and couples with low incomes), supported housing (for older people or those with additional needs), and shared ownership schemes (allowing tenants to purchase a share).

Tenants have rights, but these can vary compared to council tenants. They receive secure or assured tenancies, which mean the organisation cannot evict them easily.

Arm’s Length Management Organisations (ALMOs)

An ALMO is an independent company set up by a local council to manage the council’s housing stock. While ALMOs run the day-to-day housing services, the council still owns the homes.

ALMO characteristics:

Funded by the council, but run at “arm’s length”. This means the ALMO makes its own management decisions.
Managed by a board including tenants, councillors and independent experts.
Staff handle repairs, rent collection, tenant involvement and complaints.
Quality of homes must reach government-set “Decent Homes Standard”.
ALMOs are not-for-profit. Surplus money is invested in housing.

An ALMO often forms when councils want more tenant involvement in how services are delivered. It may give tenants a greater say, but ultimate ownership and accountability remain with the council.

Co-operative Housing Associations

Co-op housing is managed by the tenants themselves. In these schemes, tenants make decisions, manage repairs and select new residents.

Defining points:

Tenants are also members. Each member has one vote.
Profits are not paid out, but reinvested.
Small-scale: often a few dozen homes or less.
Members meet and decide how the homes are run.
Can employ staff or use volunteers.
Sometimes supported by councils or housing associations.

People in housing co-ops share responsibility for the standards and finances. All members work together to set rents, make repairs, and set rules. Members benefit from stability and community spirit.

Alms-houses and Charitable Housing Providers

Alms-houses are the oldest form of social housing in the UK. They first appeared in the Middle Ages and were funded by wealthy individuals, usually for people in need.

Features:

Often managed by charities or trusts set up hundreds of years ago.
Most provide self-contained flats, mainly for older or vulnerable people.
Strict eligibility, often based on age, location or former employment.
Very low or no rent, supported by charity income.
Trustees or volunteers oversee management.

There are also newer charitable housing providers. These may focus on specific groups such as people fleeing domestic abuse, homeless families or veterans.

Charitable housing providers may own a small number of homes. Income comes from donations, grants or public funding. Unlike councils and housing associations, they decide who qualifies based on their mission.

Registered Providers

Registered providers is a legal term, covering any organisation registered with the Regulator of Social Housing. This includes nearly all housing associations and some smaller charitable housing providers.

Key points:

Must meet national standards for housing quality, tenant involvement and governance.
Include both large and small organisations.
Can access public funding for new homes.

Being a registered provider gives certain legal protections and responsibilities. For example, these organisations can only evict tenants through set legal procedures.

Private Registered Providers

Some private sector companies have become involved in providing social homes.

What sets them apart:

Are profit-making companies, such as property businesses or investment groups.
Must still register with and follow rules from the Regulator of Social Housing.
Tend to offer shared ownership or intermediate rent schemes.
Rarely provide general needs housing for the most vulnerable.

These organisations often appear when government money is used to build new homes, but a business runs them for profit. The regulator checks they comply with legal standards.

Community Land Trusts

Community land trusts (CLTs) are run by local people. They own land and build affordable homes, keeping these permanently affordable.

How they work:

The land is owned by the community, not sold privately.
Rent levels are set to remain low for local people.
Run by voluntary boards elected by community members.
Sometimes work with housing associations or councils for funding or expertise.

CLTs aim to benefit local people who are shut out of the property market. They guarantee homes stay affordable even if they are sold on, by controlling the price.

Specialist and Supported Housing Providers

Some organisations focus entirely on people who need support beyond just a home. These may house people with disabilities, mental health needs, or those at risk of homelessness.

Such providers:

Give accommodation linked to support services.
Often work with local authorities and NHS.
Funded by rents, care contracts and council grants.
Employ support workers as well as housing staff.

Tenants might need to accept support as part of their agreement. Homes can be shared houses, self-contained flats, or hostels.

Faith-Based and Culturally Specific Providers

There are housing charities and social landlords set up by religious groups or cultural communities. They aim to meet housing needs for people from their faith or background.

For instance:

Jewish, Christian or Muslim housing associations.
Organisations for black or minority ethnic communities.
May offer language support, cultural activities or diets matching their residents.

These providers focus on helping members of their community thrive. They provide specialist help and build community connections.

Differences Between Types of Organisations

The type of social housing provider changes what is offered, who is eligible, and how decisions are made.

Variation includes:

Ownership: Councils, charities, private firms or the tenants themselves
Size: Large national organisations or a single building
Eligibility criteria: Set by government law for councils/housing associations, or by the provider itself for charities/co-ops
Focus: General needs for anyone on a low income, or targeted groups (like older people or people with disabilities)
Rents: Stays lower than private rents, but rates and rules vary by type
Decision-making: Made by councillors, board members, charity trustees, tenants or business managers.

Understanding the differences helps you support tenants and explains options. You may need to guide tenants through choosing or applying to the right type of organisation.

Final Thoughts

People applying for social housing might encounter a range of different organisations. Some are local authorities, still running thousands of homes. Others are housing associations: professional, regulated and not-for-profit. Newer models like community land trusts and co-ops offer resident-led options. Specialist charities support people facing barriers to private renting. Even some private firms now run affordable homes under strict regulation.

Each type has its strengths. Housing workers should know the core differences, as it helps when explaining choices to new tenants, resolving issues, or connecting people to the right provider. This knowledge builds trust, helps applicants feel supported, and results in better outcomes for everyone involved.