The Cambridgeshire Cottage Housing Society (TCCHS) has today become a member of the English Rural Housing Association Group.
The merger sees TCCHS becoming a subsidiary of English Rural with all 62 homes, including some Grade II listed properties, becoming part of the group.
The two housing associations are both committed to the provision of affordable housing for people in rural areas.
TCCHS was formed in 1938 with the original purpose of saving older rural cottages from demolition and later became a registered provider of social housing.
Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, said: “English Rural are delighted to welcome TCCHS to the English Rural Group. This new arrangement will enable us to better apply our collective resources towards the shared purpose of building and managing affordable rural homes.
“English Rural’s business strategy includes working to support smaller rural housing associations to make sure that they are secure, well-run, and able to deliver on a shared mission. The need for affordable rural homes is greater than ever and maximising investment in new homes through mutually beneficial collaboration and partnerships is an important part of the solution.”
He added that the new arrangement improves overall operational performance and secures better value for money for both organisations by capitalising on English Rural’s skills and experience. The group aims to invest in more affordable homes in South Cambridgeshire and surrounding districts, an area where rural property values are out of reach for many local people.
Like so many rural areas, villages across Cambridgeshire are at risk of decline following the continued loss of services such as schools and pubs. Both English Rural and TCCHS believe that investing in just a small handful of affordable rural homes can be a catalyst for stopping this decline.
Through the positive changes achieved by their work, they see that without these homes, it is difficult for families to grow and remain close to their support networks and places of work, putting the long-term sustainability of the local economy at risk.
Gemma Bell, Partner in our Banking, Governance & Corporate team, who advised on the merger, said: “We are delighted to have been able to assist with this important merger that will see more affordable housing provided for families in rural areas. English Rural and TCCHS carry out vital work in communities where many local people have difficulty in finding an affordable home, so we are proud to have been able to help make this merger happen.”
