Longhurst Group and Grand Union Housing Group will commence a six-week consultation with residents this Wednesday regarding their proposed merger to create a 37,000-home housing association. The boards of both organisations have approved the business case for the merger, which aims to enhance investment in existing properties and build 5,000 new homes over the next five years.

Longhurst Group, based in Rushden, Northamptonshire, manages nearly 25,000 homes and reported a turnover of £157.4 million in 2022/23. The group completed 578 homes and invested £13 million in major improvements and repairs. It has also announced plans to build 2,776 homes over the next five years.

Grand Union Housing Group, headquartered in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, manages 12,000 homes and reported a turnover of £92 million in 2022/23. The group completed 282 homes and spent £26.2 million on home improvements and repairs.

Aileen Evans, Chief Executive of Grand Union Housing Group, said, “Both ourselves and Longhurst Group are well governed and built on solid financial foundations. We believe that we’d be even stronger together as a larger organisation, providing more resilience to respond to a challenging operating environment.”

Julie Doyle, Chief Executive of Longhurst Group, added, “We have a strong existing relationship with Grand Union Housing Group, sharing similar visions and values. Coming together would allow us to learn from each other and deliver the best possible service for our customers.”

This merger and its potential impact on the housing market will undoubtedly be mentioned at upcoming construction networking events in Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire. These events provide an ideal platform for industry professionals to discuss strategies on how to win construction contracts and explore new opportunities in the housing sector.

Additionally, the merger will be a focal point at property construction networking events in the region, where experts will gather to share networking tips and discuss the future of housing development.

The resident consultation will run from Wednesday, 24 July, until 4 September, providing an opportunity for residents to share their views on the proposed merger. The collaboration between Longhurst and Grand Union aims to create a more resilient organisation capable of improving housing services and increasing the availability of quality homes.