This function was transferred from the Homes and Communities Agency in October 2018.

It is sponsored by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The body is headquartered in Leeds, but will relocate to a new government hub in Manchester when it opens.

It has challenged the business model of some providers where rent income from housing benefit payments is less than lease expenditure.

[3] In November 2022 it reduced the financial viability grading for 19 housing associations, because of higher inflation and borrowing costs, and a weakening housing market.