Latest News.

In Touch Thursday

24th April 2009

Estuary Housing Association closed its offices on Thursday 23 April to allow 134 staff to take part in a new initiative called ‘In Touch Thursday’.

As part of our commitment to working with residents and getting feedback on our services in a variety of ways, staff, some of whom are office based and rarely get to meet residents, were given the opportunity to leave their normal place of work and meet residents in their homes.

Residents were delighted to meet staff face to face and have the opportunity to comment on Estuary’s performance across a range of services. 

“The day was a great success, staff really enjoyed it. They travelled across Essex and managed to visit just over 400 residents. Some colleagues have specifically commented that it was really refreshing to have a first hand reminder that the services and homes that we provide are very much appreciated and enjoyed by the vast majority of our residents. We will use the feedback provided by our residents to help improve services across Estuary”. Paul Durkin, Chief Executive

“I only get to see my Housing Officer from time to time, it was nice to meet some of the other staff who work at Estuary. I was asked a range of questions covering, repairs, my home, communication and they also explained to me the various ways that I could become involved as a resident.”   Mrs Hurden.

There was a lot of work involved in planning this event but due to its success we now plan to make this an annual event.

Estuary's Head Office Relocates

26 February 2009

David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation performed the official opening of Estuary Housing Association’s newly relocated Head Office on Thursday 26th February.. Guests including Chief Officers from local authorities across Essex, MP’s, local dignitaries and many others turned out to help celebrate Estuary’s move to central Southend. 

Estuary outgrew their previous offices which were located on an industrial estate in Southend and decided to lease offices in a central location in the heart of Southend.

“Our new office location makes our services much more accessible to the community and re-enforces our customer focused approach to delivering quality housing products in the sub Region” Paul Durkin, Chief Executive.

Staff say moving office was an upheaval but it was worth it. Maitland House offers stunning views and has enabled the workforce to be located in one building, providing excellent cross working and improving communication.

“Estuary is clearly an organisation committed to working with others to improve the communities in which they work and evidence of this is by the positioning of the new office and the growing range of community development activities in which they are involved”.  David Orr, Chief Executive

Estuary to receieve funding from the Housing Corporation to build new homes

We are delighted to be informed by the Housing Corporation that Estuary are one of a total of 31 organisations across the UK who are newly pre-qualified to receive funding from the Corporation’s National Affordable Housing Programme to build new homes. 

The Corporation's £8.4 billion investment programme for 2008-11 is its biggest ever, set to fund at least 155,000 homes. Over 100,000 of these are for affordable rent and more than 50,000 for affordable sale through the Government's HomeBuy initiatives, helping people get a foot on the property ladder.  

“This is extremely good news for the Association, as we are one of only four newly selected housing associations across the Country.  We will now be entitled to apply directly to the Housing Corporation for grant to provide much needed homes to local people across Essex”.  Paul Durkin, Chief Executive


We are delighted to have been successful in retaining Chartermark accreditation once again.

The assessor was particularly impressed with the work of the Turnaround Team. The team was set up following recent surveys undertaken and it was decided that a measure was necessary to look at the results and analyse where performance in service was showing low satisfaction. The Team is a cross department fluid team made up of Board members, staff and residents.

The Turnaround Team is beginning to show real results and achieved outcomes and improvements. It is intended that this will continue to grow and become the forum for cross department discussion with residents on ways for Estuary to continually review and improve the services it provides.