Office for the Bishop for Housing
The role of lead bishop for housing was created by the Archbishop of Canterbury following the recommendations of the Coming Home report in 2021.
The bishop for housing is responsible for taking forward the recommendations of Coming Home and highlighting the challenges and opportunities for the Church to respond to the housing crisis. This diverse work includes:
a) Convening the Forum for Church Housing, to bring together the various entities across the Church of England involved in delivering affordable housing.
b) Promoting the Church’s mission and ministry around housing within the national Church institutions, dioceses and parishes. This involves advocacy in the General Synod and College of Bishops and encouraging local initiatives through diocesan visits.
The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, the Bishop of Chelmsford, has been the lead bishop for housing since 2021; she is supported by Jonathan Tame, Advisor for Housing and Community.
c) Calling for a long term, cross-party, national housing strategy. This was the foremost recommendation of Coming Home, and in 2023 the bishop for housing convened a cross-party steering group in the House of Lords to begin work on a strategy, in partnership with the Nationwide Foundation.
d) Advocating for housing reform and the Church’s response to the crisis in parliament, with ministers, peers and MPs, and participating in debates that touch on various aspects of housing. In addition, the bishop engages with civil servants and campaigners looking to reform the housing system.
The Office for the Bishop for Housing News
