The factors influencing the development of social housing and housing associations have been very controversial since time immemorial, as far back as 1945. They are a combination of an unstoppable chain of events in the history of housing which enhanced its development and also has an effect on its turbulent past based on a variety of ancient traditions, class warfare, political policies and social changes in demographics and population. It is full of impressive successes, sordid failures and missed opportunities and yet today it is full of new areas for development. While social housing could be defined as the provision of subsidized housing by the public sector or by a registered social landlord, the housing association itself is a not-for-profit organization that meets these housing needs. The post-1945 era will go down in history as the beginning of the emergence of housing associations. from sleazy obscurity to a more refined and defined influence in carrying out an important role play in housing provision. This could be seen as a form of filling the void for local government and balancing public and private housing through government funding and stipulated regulations. In this essay I will examine these factors based on my findings through scientific literature researched to date and relate these factors to the current state of social housing and even housing associations, especially as they are about to be changed by the current coalition government. to find ways that could make them more independent from the state body in terms of regulation while accommodating members of the public even more efficiently. To begin with, before state involvement in housing provision in 19th century housing associations began.... .... middle of paper ......f composition. In: Malpass, P. (ed.) Ownership, control and responsibility: the new governance of housing. Coventry: Chartered Housing Institute. Lund, B. (2006). The politics of housing policy. In: Understanding housing policy. London: Palgrave Macmillan. CMalpass, P. (1997). The missing years. In: Godwin, J. and Grant, C. Built to last? Nottingham: Rooftop Magazine. 125-133.Mullins, David; Murie, Alan; Leather, Philippe; Lee, Peter; Riseborough, Moyra; Walker, Bruce. 2006., Housing Policy in the United Kingdom. [Online]. Palgrave Macmillan. Available from:< > March 29, 2011Pryke, M (2004). (2004). Thinking about social policy in social housing. In: Hughes, G & Lewis, G Unsettling Welfare: The Reconstruction of Social Policy. : Routledge/Open University Rob Wall. (2010). Accommodation. Available: http://www.labourpolicywatch.co.uk/housing.html. Last seen on March 28 2011.