Helm and Fold housing associations to merge

Helm Housing Association and Fold Housing have announced plans to merge.  If approved, the merger will take effect in 2017 and will see the formation of a new organisation This new association will become the largest housing association in Northern Ireland with a stock of 12,000 homes and a staff of over 1,000 individuals. 

Subject to final approval, the merger will complete in 2017.  Until then, both associations will work and engage with with tenants and other key stakeholders, to discuss and explain the proposals in detail. Tenants of each association should continue to act as normal, paying rent and reporting repairs to their current landlord. 

In 2014 Helm had been in discussions with Oaklee Homes and Trinity Housing regarding a possible merger, although this did not come to fruition.  Oaklee and Trinity merged in 2014 and Choice Housing Association was created in 2015 with the merger of the new Oaklee Trinity association with Ulidia Housing Association. 

Representatives of each housing association were enthusiastic about the news. Liz Cuddy, Chairwoman of Helm Housing Association said: "In times of record levels of housing need, a new and financially stronger provider will be better placed to build more homes...We look forward to working with colleagues at Fold in the coming weeks and months to bring this about."