Coming Home report
Over 8 million people in England were living in overcrowded, unaffordable or unsuitable housing in 2019, according to a report by the National Housing Federation. Since then, the numbers have got worse. Whole sections of our society, including people of all ages, are affected by the housing crisis, but those caught in poverty bear the brunt of this injustice.
In response to the crisis, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York commissioned the 'Coming Home' report which set out vital actions for the Church, Government and other Stakeholders to focus on building better communities and more truly affordable homes, not just houses.
The Coming Home report highlighted five core values that set a new standard and vision for what good housing should look like:
First, good housing should be sustainable: building homes which work in harmony with nature is an essential part of our calling as stewards of God’s good creation.
Then good houses must be safe: every home should provide decent, secure accommodation and be a place where people feel protected against unwanted intrusion.
Third, homes should be stable: good housing policy should provide affordable homes and secure tenancies, enabling people to settle for the long term and put down roots with their families.
Good housing is also sociable: homes should be conducive to hospitality and fellowship, and providing shared facilities and meeting spaces encourages relationships between neighbours to grow.
Lastly, good housing should be satisfying: communities are more than clusters of homes – the architecture, design and technology must work together to create places where people delight to live.