How to get a CHP Home

The majority of CHP’s new rented homes are allocated to applicants nominated to us by our local authority partners from their housing waiting lists. If you wish to be considered for any of CHP’s new properties you should contact the local council. They will be able to tell you how to register for affordable housing.

When properties become available we try to allocate them as quickly as possible, particularly to those in housing need. In selecting tenants we prioritise:

those who need to move because of violence or racial or sexual harassment
people living in insecure or temporary accommodation, including those who have difficulty in getting settled in long-term accommodation
households that are overcrowded or sharing accommodation
people in extremely poor living conditions or whose home lacks basic amenities
households with someone who is expecting a baby
those classed as homeless
people due to be released from psychiatric hospital, residential care or prison, and who have an appropriate after-care package in place
households who, through no fault of their own, are forced to live apart
homes that include someone with severe medical problems, which are made worse by their present living conditions or which make their present accommodation unsuitable.

We will consider you for housing if you are:

an existing tenant who wants to transfer to other accommodation
an existing tenant who is affected by redevelopment and improvement and need to be housed temporarily while work is being carried out on your home
nominated by the Council or another relevant agency
a young person (aged 16-17), subject to certain conditions, and nominated by the Council
the owner/occupier of a property and old enough to receive a state pension, and nominated by the Council
believed to need the support provided by warden-controlled accommodation.

We currently own properties in the three areas of Essex: Chelmsford, Uttlesford and Thurrock. We also work in partnership with Flagship Housing Group to manage their homes in Colchester, Braintree, Tendring and Maldon.

If you are looking for one of our affordable homes in Essex we will always be happy to discuss your requirements in confidence. However, you should first contact the Housing Advice Department of the local authority in your chosen area.

If you need help to find affordable housing in any of the following areas, contact the Council's Homelessness and Housing Advice department:

Chelmsford:
Tel: 01245 606606
Web: www.chelmsfordbc.gov.uk

Uttlesford:
Tel: 01799 510376
Email: housing@uttlesford.gov.uk
Web: www.uttlesford.gov.uk

Thurrock:
Tel: 01375 65252
Web: www.thurrock.gov.uk

Braintree:
Tel: 01376 552525

Colchester:
Tel: 01206 282222
Web: www.colchester.gov.uk/index.asp

Tendring:
Tel: 01255 686868
Web: www.tendringdc.gov.uk

Maldon:
Tel: 01621 854477
Web: www.maldon.gov.uk

General housing advice

Chelmsford Borough Council operates a Community Advice Service. This offers general housing advice on housing options, private renting and the prevention of homelessness. They also run a rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme with the Guinness Trust to help people who cannot get private rented accommodation.

Key worker accommodation

If you are a 'key worker' (who the Government defines as mainly someone working as a nurse, teacher or police officer) you may qualify for affordable housing under the Government's 'starter home initiative', which aims to provide key worker homes across the country. The Government has produced a factsheet for key workers explaining how the scheme works.

The Housing Corporation's Residents Charter explains the standards you can expect from us.