Mobilising and equipping the church to respond to housing need
We believe that…
Everyone should have access to a home that is Safe, Stable, Sociable, Satisfying and Sustainable - especially those who are most vulnerable. Responding to housing need is an integral part of the spiritual mission and practical ministry of the Church.
Origins
In 2019 the Archbishops' Commission on Housing, Church and Community was launched. The commission report, Coming Home, outlined a vision and values for community and housing, and how the Church could respond. Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, took on a new role as lead Bishop for Housing and a small team worked to take forward the recommendations of Coming Home and promote a long term vision of a Church that is deeply committed and active in housing and communities.
The Church Response
Even before Coming Home, churches and dioceses were already taking action to address the housing crisis. Some examples include:
Birmingham’s Housing Reference Group, formed under Bishop Anne Hollinghurst (then Bishop of Aston)
A church in Preston repurposing its parish hall - Read case study here >
Gloucester diocese partnering with Rooftop Housing Group to deliver social housing
A Cambridge church providing modular housing pods for single homeless men - Read case Study here >
Alongside these initiatives, many parishes have opened their doors to those experiencing homelessness, offering night shelters, meals, advice, and support.
In July 2021, General Synod overwhelmingly backed a motion affirming that tackling the housing crisis is a vital part of the Church’s mission and ministry.
In 2022, a study led by Andrew Gray explored whether the national Church could take further action. The key finding was clear: local churches should continue providing frontline support, while the national Church must focus on addressing the shortage of affordable and social housing — aligning closely with the Coming Home vision.
Bringing it all Together
Up to the end of 2023, the work to take forward the recommendations of Coming Home was largely funded by the diocese of Gloucester, whose successful experience of delivering both market and affordable housing was one of the inspirations for the Commission. The Archbishops Council then allocated £4.25m to a five year housing project, which will provide professional advice and small grants to parishes and dioceses wishing to explore the possibility of meeting housing need by (re)developing some of their land or property.
The Church Housing Association was approved by the regulator of social housing and can start working in earnest to deliver social homes. They are working closely with the Church Development Agency (CDA), with an initial focus on the greater West Midlands area. The CDA has received a substantial grant from the Oak Foundation for its work in Birmingham.
The Bishop for Housing then convened a Forum for Church Housing in 2024, to ensure these new initiatives, together with the Church Commissioners and active dioceses, work collaboratively and in line with Coming Home as they provide housing and build community.
The Coming Home report addressed Government as well as the Church. Bishop Guli, the Bishop for Housing, takes forward public debate and government engagement on the housing crisis.
Our Values
“A good home is a place that enables us to live in harmony with the natural environment; it is a place where we feel safe; it enables us to put down roots and belong to a community; it is a place we enjoy living in and delight to come home to.
“Fundamentally, we believe that a home should be five things: sustainable, safe, stable, sociable and satisfying. These core values derive from our Christian story, though we believe they will resonate with people of all faiths and of none.” (from Coming Home)
"For the Church, responding to the housing crisis is an integral part of our mission and ministry, particularly in so far as it affects the poorest and most marginalised in our communities."
Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop For Housing