CGC Oakgrove 4.0

Housing Association

Sector Outlook In the 1980’s many local authorities began to transfer their housing stock into housing associations. These non-profit making organisations now manage more than 60% of affordable housing in England. They provide a wide range of housing services including residential care for the elderly, suppor ted housing for those with disabilities to services for homeless and ex-offenders. Around 90,000 people work in affordable housing sector in a variety of roles from finance, HR, legal to frontline customer services, maintenance and housing management. The sector also has charitable functions providing advice to customers on benefits and employment as well as staff looking at proper ty development and sales of housing stock. The housing sector needs people who can work in team across the main depar tments of housing, solve problems, be responsive to customer needs, be tolerant, deliver on targets and remain calm under pressure. The industry needs specialists in surveying, construction, housing management and a range of corporate functions. Entrance into the industry will depend on the professional or technical pathway you wish to take. Many of the larger associations run apprenticeship schemes in areas such as housing, administration, customer service and construction trades. You could also consider graduate entry after a relevant degree or masters. Vacancies in the sector can be found directly on organisation career pages, through magazines such as Insidehousing.co.uk, recruitment agencies or housing federation sites. The sector is in constant change as government legislation continues to impact the industry.