What is a Community Housing Association?

A community housing association is a group of people who work together to house tenants who are at a disadvantage in the housing market, and who often are unble to secure affordable housing on their own.

Community housing associations are 'not-for-profit' organisations, generally managed by volunteers, although some have paid staff with day-to-day costs met through rents or through funding from sponsor bodies.

Additional resources generally come from fund raising, community-based grants and donations. Some Housing Associations have a 'sponsor body' who help Associations operate by donating services, staff time and other resources to meet their client group housing needs.

Some tenants selected for membership may require extensive support services to maintain independent housing, these are provided by partner government and community service agencies, other than the Housing Association.

There are currently 50 community housing associations registered with the Office for Community Housing (formerly South Australian Community Housing Authority SACHA) with more than 2,900 properties throughout SA.

All registered community housing associations are legally incorporated under the Associations Incorporations Act and the South Australian Co-operative and Community Housing Act.

These registered community housing associations are part of the Community Housing Programme administered by the Office for Community Housing.

Frequently Asked Questions. (FAQ)

Who lives in housing associations?

Tenants may be people on low incomes, from non-English speaking backgrounds, with physical or intellectual disabilities, women and children rebuilding their lives after escaping domestic violence, young people making a start on their own, single parents, or the aged and frail. Housing Associations can support any group of individuals who need housing that is secure, appropriate, affordable and accessible.

How are you housed by an association?

Associations decide whom to house based on need but, often house people through referrals from other agencies. It may be possible for you or someone you are assisting, to be referred from another support agency or to contact the Community Housing Council of SA (CHCSA) who can refer you to the appropriate Housing Association for you to contact.

What are the benefits of community housing associations?

Community Housing Associations offer secure and stable accommodation, affordable rent, suitable housing and increased dignity and independence.

They promote tenant involvement in management of the organisation and encourage self-determination.

They build a community of support and a significant public benefit through volunteer labour and private contributions.

They provide links with other support organisations to meet the specific needs of tenants. Being involved in a housing association is a valuable experience with real long-term outcomes for everyone involved.

How are housing associations funded?

Community housing associations receive financial and other support from a variety of sources as well as from the Office for Communtiy Housing.

These include Local Government authorities (councils), other community organisations such as Churches and service groups and many individuals. Many Housing Associations have entered into joint ventures with other organisations such as local councils to build a 'community' to provide housing for their specific client group.

What sorts of houses do associations have?

At present, most of the housing offered through the Office for Community Housing to new and existing housing associations comes from former Housing SA (previously known as the South Australian Housing Trust or SAHT) stock in the Association's chosen location. Currently, funds for purchasing and building houses are very limited. Houses are frequently designed or modified to meet the special housing needs of some tenants. They adhere to regulatory standards as determined by the Office for Communtiy Housing.

Where can I find out more?

If this kind of involvement in housing interests you then find out more by contacting either CHCSA or the Office for Community Housing.

If you are interested in forming a new Housing Association, please contact the Office for Community Housing.

The Office for Community Housing will provide you with the details and advise you of the requirements, including the statutory obligations you will need to be aware of before commencing the process of establishing a new Housing Association.