Community housing providers were orginally established as either housing co-operatives or housing associations.

Community housing providers vary in size and provide housing for people with low incomes generally and/or target a specific needs group. These needs groups include people such as those with chronic housing need, people experiencing family violence, people who are new to Australia, people with a disability (physical, intellectual, psychiatric, acquired brain injury, etc.) and the aged.

In fulfilling their role as a landlord, community housing providers are required to be registered under the Community Housing Providers (National Law) (South Australia) Act 2013 (SA) and abide by the Community Housing Providers National Law, relevant sections of the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA) and the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA), amongst others.