Local community at the centre of potential partnership with Poplar HARCA
With our neighbour, Poplar HARCA, we have today announced plans for a potential merger. Together, both organisations currently provide over 13,000 homes to people living in east London.
By coming together, we want to create a better housing experience for residents and invest efficiency savings into new and existing homes, services, and neighbourhoods.
‘Our community is at the centre of this partnership. By bringing together our strengths, resources, and local presence, we can do more for the people living here.
We’re focused on investing in homes and services, strengthening the resident voice and creating more opportunities to help tackle overcrowding & the shortage of affordable homes in east London.
It’s a particularly challenging backdrop for housing providers our size and the long-term viability is uncertain. Combining our financial strength will give us more resilience to make a difference – especially for residents who have been significantly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
Both organisations have a shared vision and commitment to our local community, so it feels like a natural fit.’ - Anita Khan, THCH CEO
Steve Stride, Chief Executive for Poplar HARCA, said: "Poplar HARCA has a proud history of community empowerment and regeneration. Combining strengths with THCH, our very near-neighbour, would consolidate our local commitment, and unlock efficiencies to fund new homes and community regeneration."
Both Boards are expected to make a final decision in Autumn 2023. If both agree to merge, Poplar HARCA's Chief Executive Steve Stride will become CEO of the new organisation, with THCH’s CEO, Anita Khan, as Deputy CEO. Poplar HARCA’s current Chair, Paul Brickell, will continue in his role.
Both organisations are asking residents for their views as part of a six-week formal consultation.