Proposals for CHP and Estuary Housing Association to merge to form a new housing association
In March 2025, we announced plans to explore a merger with Southend-based Estuary Housing Association Limited (Estuary). The proposal is that Estuary will undertake a transfer of engagements to CHP, and both organisations would combine to form a single organisation with a new name. Like us, Estuary is a Registered Provider of Social Housing (RP), registered with the Regulator of Social Housing and has charitable status.
If the merger goes ahead, you’d still have the same rights to live in your home, and the conditions of your tenancy agreement or lease wouldn't change because of the merger. You would also have the same level of legal rights and protection that you have now.
While we’re strong independently, we believe that together we could create something new, built on the best of both organisations. We’re both committed to tackling the housing crisis locally, and joining together will also help us better address housing needs. We’d be able to build more new homes, increase investment in our existing homes, and provide better services to our customers.
CHP currently owns and manages more than 12,500 homes, with the largest number in and around Chelmsford. Estuary Housing Association has over 4,500 homes, with the largest number in Southend-on-Sea. This means that a merged organisation would own and manage more than 17,000 homes and would be the largest housing association focused on, and headquartered in, Essex.
We want to hear from you
We really want to hear your views, so we’ve created a short survey that can be completed online. We’ve also sent a copy in the post to customers we know can’t access the internet. If you’d prefer a paper version to complete, please contact us on 0300 555 0500.
Before you complete the survey, which was included in the email we sent to customers, we ask you to read the information on this page, including our FAQs, so you know our plans. You may also want to join us at one of our in-person or online events, where you’ll hear directly from us on the plans and be able to ask us questions.
Please watch our short video, in which Paul Edwards, CHP’s Chief Executive, explains more about our proposals and why your views are so important to us.