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), and recently consulted with customers on the proposed merger. 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.
Next steps
Thank you to everyone who shared their views on our proposed merger with Estuary Housing Association. Almost 5% of customers living in a CHP home attended an event or completed our survey. We’re reviewing all the feedback we received, and our Board will use the results to help them make the final decision about whether to merge. We’ll update you when the decision has been made.
If you have any questions or need support, please contact us on 0300 555 0500 or email consultation@chp.org.uk.