Your Housing Association Could Offer More Than You Think

When you think about your housing association, you probably think about your home, paying your rent or reporting a repair. But many housing associations may offer much more than that.

Across the UK, many housing associations work with local organisations to provide housing association support services, community support programmes and other opportunities for residents.. Some services are available all year round, while others are offered as one-off projects or community events.

Every housing association is different, but it’s worth taking a look at what’s available where you live. You might discover something you didn’t know existed.

Services vary between housing associations and locations, so the support available where you live may be different from what’s available elsewhere.

You might be surprised by what's available

Many housing associations invest in resident support services that help people build skills, feel connected to their community and access practical support. Depending on where you live, you may be able to access things like:

Employment support, CV advice and interview preparation.
Training courses to learn new skills or build confidence.
Digital inclusion projects, including help getting online or using everyday technology.
Community cafés, resident groups and local events.
Gardening clubs, wellbeing activities and community projects.
Furniture reuse schemes and other practical household support.
Energy advice to help make your home more efficient.
Opportunities to volunteer, meet new people or have a say in local community projects.

These services are often developed in partnership with local charities, community organisations and councils, helping residents access support close to home.

Support for your home

If you’re looking for help with household costs or practical support at home, your housing association may be able to signpost you to local services or partner organisations.

Depending on your housing association and local partnerships, you may find services such as:

Advice on reducing energy use and keeping your home warm.
Community repair projects where you can learn practical skills.
Access to affordable or reused furniture and household items.
Local environmental projects that help improve shared spaces.

Not every service will be available in every area, but it’s always worth checking before buying something new or assuming you need to manage on your own.

Building stronger communities

Many housing associations also support community projects that bring residents together and help create stronger neighbourhood. That might mean organising local events, supporting resident groups or helping neighbours come together to improve shared spaces. Getting involved can be a great way to meet new people, learn something different or simply find out more about what’s happening in your area.

Even if you’re not looking for support right now, knowing what’s available can be useful in the future.

Where can you find out more?

A good place to start is your housing association’s website, resident newsletter or community Facebook page. Many also have neighbourhood teams or community officers who can tell you about current projects and services.

If you haven’t checked recently, it could be worth having another look. New funding, partnerships and community projects are introduced throughout the year, so there may be opportunities that weren’t available the last time you looked.

Need a bit more support?

If you’re worried about paying your rent, managing household costs or finding local support services, it’s worth speaking directly with your housing association. They may be able to explain what’s available or signpost you to other organisations that can help.

Looking for other ways to make your money go further?

If you’re looking for practical ways to improve your finances, there may be additional support available beyond your housing association. Moneyline’s free MoneyToolkit brings together information and tools that could help you check whether you may be entitled to benefits.
Search for grants and other sources of financial support.
Find ways to reduce household bills.
Access budgeting tools and practical money resources.

Sometimes, finding the right support starts with knowing where to look.