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Affordable housing through housing associations

Registered housing associations offer affordable rented accommodation. Find out how to become a tenant or receive help with home ownership.

What is a registered housing association?

Registered housing associations are the main providers of new social housing in Northern Ireland. Housing associations are run as businesses but they do not trade for profit. Any surplus is ploughed back into the organisation to maintain existing homes and to help finance new ones. Please use the link below to get the full register of housing associations in Northern Ireland:

How to become a registered housing association tenant

Generally, people housed by housing associations are those defined as being in 'housing need' but eligibility criteria differ. Some housing associations specialise in providing housing for those who need special support. All housing associations must have written policies on the type of housing services they provide, who can apply for housing and how applications will be considered.

Registered housing associations take the majority of their new tenants from the common waiting list which is maintained by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) so it is usually best to contact your local District Office in the first instance. You can find your nearest office by using the link below:

Home ownership

The statutory sales scheme gives eligible tenants of registered housing associations the opportunity to buy their property at a discount. You can use the links below to access the Department for Social Development's guide to the Statutory Sales scheme and also to get details on how the co-ownership scheme can help you get on the property ladder:

More useful links