Working in housing is not just about the bricks and mortar - it’s about making a positive difference to people’s lives, their communities, and their life chances by providing them with a decent home and environment in which to live.

A career in housing is exciting and can provide an incredible variety of options, from housing management to resident involvement, and from development to supported housing – to mention just a few.

Put simply, if you want to make a positive difference, working in housing is for you!

A job in housing, therefore, requires a particular set of skills and knowledge, and it is vital that those working in the sector work to acquire these and to keep them up to date. For some roles in England, it is now law to have a certain level of qualification.

Values are also important – those working in housing must conduct themselves in an ethical manner at all times. These demands, for specific skills, knowledge and values, are the defining features of a ‘profession’.

There are four different types of CIH membership to recognise how you are progressing as you move through your career. Members are also bound by our code of ethics.

What kinds of roles are available?

Below are some of the most common roles in housing. They describe what the role entails and what skills and experience someone doing the role would need. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and you may sometimes see similar roles described using different terms by different employers or nations.

We've also recently co-produced a new website resource called 'Your career in housing' with a quiz to find out more about your skills and preferences. Plus even more information on roles in the industry. It's a Scotland produced resource, but a lot of the content is relevant across the UK so give it a go!