The origins of CIH can be traced to 1916. We were granted a Royal Charter in 1984 and our work is governed by the Royal Charter and Byelaws.

There are four grades of CIH membership, through which individual members can progress as they accrue skills, knowledge and experience over the course of their career.

These are:

1. standard membership (CIHM) – available to anyone with an interest in housing

2.certified practitioner membership (Cert CIH) – available to anyone who has:

    *completed a level 3 or level 4 CIH qualification

3.chartered membership (CIHCM) – available to anyone who has:

    *completed a level 5 or above CIH qualification

    *completed the experienced professional route to chartered membership

    *completed the executive route to chartered membership

    *completed an undergraduate or postgraduate university course recognised by CIH as meeting the requirements for chartered membership

4.fellowship (FCIH) – reserved for those who can show that they have experience in a leadership role and have made a significant contribution to the housing sector, assessed through an application submitted to the Fellowship Admissions Panel