Circle Voluntary Housing Association (VHA) has commenced an exploratory process to assess the potential for a merger with North and East Housing Association (NEHA). While discussions remain at an early stage, both organisations have agreed to progress dialogue and enter a more formal phase of engagement. We will provide further updates as this process develops.
This exploratory work reflects our commitment to our WE HEAR values and our purpose to deliver quality homes and innovative, integrated housing solutions to individuals and families across Ireland. Working collaboratively with local authorities, state agencies, developers and funders, we continue to play an active role in delivering new-build social and affordable housing at scale. We are more than housing, and we are deeply committed to ensuring that tenants’ needs remain at the heart of everything we do, and this principle will guide us throughout this process.
We believe that exploring a potential merger aligns strongly with national housing policy and the evolving direction of the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector. As part of this, Government policy explicitly recognises the need for a stronger, more resilient AHB sector, encouraging organisations to restructure and merge where appropriate in order to improve efficiency, scale and long-term sustainability.
In this context, Circle VHA and NEHA believe that a potential merger could enhance our combined capacity to deliver high-quality homes, strengthen governance and financial resilience, and support the accelerated delivery of social and affordable housing in line with national priorities.
The Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) has been informed that exploratory discussions are underway.
Context
Across the AHB sector, there is an increasing emphasis on collaboration and consolidation to support delivery at scale, strengthen organisational capacity, and respond effectively to growing and increasingly complex housing need. National policy highlights the importance of a modernised, well-governed and financially sustainable sector that can continue to play a central role in housing delivery alongside local authorities and other partners.
Both Boards have agreed that:
- The interests of tenants will remain central throughout this process.
- All services and day-to-day operations will continue as normal.
- There is no impact on staff roles at this exploratory stage.
- All statutory and regulatory obligations, including Notifiable Events requirements, will be met in accordance with AHBRA guidelines.
- Any next steps would be subject to full due diligence, risk assessment, stakeholder engagement and formal Board approval.
This early-stage engagement reflects not only our shared ambition to strengthen delivery and services, but also our commitment to contributing to a more effective and resilient AHB sector.
Our focus remains on delivering high-quality homes, supporting thriving communities, and ensuring that the people we serve are at the centre of everything we do.
