The Housing Project

The Archbishops’ Council has launched a new national initiative to support dioceses and parishes in addressing the housing crisis, inspired by the Coming Home Report. The Coming Home Report stresses the importance of affordable, sustainable, and safe housing. It underscores the Church of England's role in tackling housing issues by utilising its resources to build stronger communities and promote social justice.

Led by Beki Winter, the Housing Project team is dedicated to helping diocese and parishes transform their church property or land into homes that meet community needs.

Many parishes have issues with their buildings or property, but don’t always realise that these problems could be opportunities to provide some housing. For example, an outdated church hall could be rebuilt to include a few flats above it, or a surplus car park or vicarage garden could be redeveloped to provide some social homes. There are many creative ways to use church land or property to provide housing for people in need, whilst improving community facilities or bolstering parish finances.

With a £4.25 million allocation over five years, the Housing Project offers expert advice, resource sharing, and a small grants scheme to overcome initial barriers such as feasibility studies and surveys. The initiative aims to creatively utilise church land and property to provide housing while enhancing community facilities and parish finances.

This initiative is a simple response to a Biblical mandate to God’s people towards justice: where a true fast involves bringing the homeless poor into our house (Isaiah 58:7), and where serving Christ demands that we welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35).

Church leaders and PCC members interested in exploring housing opportunities or sharing their experiences can reach out to [email protected].