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.
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 every CHP customer to have the opportunity to give their views on our plans, should they wish to do so. We’ll contact all customers shortly to let you know how you can get involved.