About the Awards
The 2025 Essex Housing Awards (EHA) in association with Birketts, recognises high-quality developments, services and individuals from the public, private and voluntary sectors and promotes best practice across the county.
This year there are 12 categories open to entry, focusing on developments of any size, design, partnership projects, action to tackle climate change, skills and much more.
Entries are now open, and close on 5pm, Friday 27th June 2025.
Category Sponsors
The 2025 Awards
Before completing your entry, please check the Housing Excellence Guidance for entrants and judging criteria.
You can apply directly from the ‘Apply now’ link on this page. This will open a new webpage.
You will need to complete a short registration form, before entering your chosen category/ies.
You will need to complete a short online application form for your chosen category, including contact details for who is being nominated and the nominator, a brief summary of the nomination and a supporting statement describing how the development / organisation / people have made an impact. Again, use the criteria in the guidance to assist here.
Timeline
- Open for entries: 29 April 2025
- Deadline for entries: 5pm, 27 June 2025
- Judging panel: July 2025
- Finalists notified: July/August 2025
- Awards Ceremony: 16 October 2025
The Award Categories
Small Housing Schemes (1 – 24 homes)
Recognising small developments which make a significant contribution to meeting housing needs; improving the image and perception of housing in Essex.
Medium Housing Schemes (25 – 100 homes)
Recognising medium developments which make a significant contribution to meeting housing needs; improving the image and perception of housing in Essex.
Large Housing Schemes (101+ homes)
Recognising large developments which make a significant contribution to meeting housing needs; improving the image and perception of housing in Essex.
Excellence in Design & Placemaking
Recognising the development of homes / commercial development (new or refurbished) of any size which best meet the ambitions of the Essex Design Guide.
Excellence in Construction Skills
Organisations most proactive in assessing and meeting the County’s skills needs in construction.
Climate Action – Decarbonisation / Retrofit
Organisations that are responding to climate change by decarbonising their housing stock.
Climate Action – Low or zero carbon in New Build
Organisations that are responding to the climate crisis by developing low / zero carbon new housing stock in Essex in response to the Essex Climate Action Commission report / Developers Charter.
Meeting Housing Need - Specialist Housing
An organisation that has taken a strategic approach and worked in partnership to address an identified specialist housing need in Essex supporting healthy / independent living.
Meeting Housing Need - Homelessness
Organisations or projects providing targeted support to vulnerable people and families to either prevent homelessness or intervene when it occurs.
Smart Working
Organisations that can best show how their use of smart working including use of digital technology is significantly improving outcomes for their residents and/or place.
Housing & Development Professional of the Year
An individual who has made a significant contribution to the housing profession and/or residents during the year.
The Mo Slade Rising Star Award
A young person or apprentice that has become a rising star within the organisation they work, making a significant contribution to their business.
