The SHRA was established in August 2010 by the Minister of Human Settlements as per the Social Housing Act, No 16 of 2008. SHRA is a public entity in terms of Schedule 3A of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 29 of 1999 (PFMA). Social housing is state subsidised rental housing targeted at low to medium income groups earning between R1500 and R15 000. The purpose of social housing is to contribute to the national priority of restructuring South African society in order to address structural, economic, social and spatial dysfunctionalities. Social housing therefore contributes to widening the range of housing options available to the poor.

The core mandate of the SHRA is to invest into, enable and regulate the social housing sector.