CHA opens first seven homes
Church Housing Association (CHA) celebrated the official opening of its first housing scheme on Friday 17 April – seven new affordable homes at Innsworth, Gloucester – in a ceremony that marked a significant milestone in the Church of England's response to the housing crisis.
All seven homes are let at or below Local Housing Allowance (LHA) levels, going beyond the typical ‘affordable rent’ model of up to 80% of the market rate to ensure they are genuinely affordable.
A tenant of one of the properties said: “It has truly been life-changing for our family. For many years, we lived in a very small space, and it was not easy, especially for the children. Now, we have a home where my four children each have their own space to sleep, grow and feel comfortable. It has made such a difference to our daily lives. We honestly were not expecting something like this, and it feels like a real blessing for us. We are deeply grateful – it truly feels like a home.”
The scheme, funded through a loan from the Gloucester Diocesan Board of Finance, is a tangible expression of the vision set out in the Coming Home report. As well as calling on the Church of England to use its land, resources and influence to help address the shortage of affordable housing, it also set out the need to explore financial models and establish dedicated delivery vehicles – such as CHA – to turn that ambition into practical action on the ground.
Speaking at the opening, The Rt Revd Robert Springett, Bishop of Tewkesbury, said: “These seven homes represent far more than bricks and mortar. What we celebrate today is a sign of hope, a statement of faith in action, and a commitment to our neighbours who struggle to find a secure place to live and live well.”
The Right Revd Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester and Chair of CHA said: “Church Housing Association was established to turn aspiration into reality. The Coming Home report made clear that the Church has both the calling and the capacity to play a major role in solving England’s housing crisis.
“At Innsworth, we see that calling answered. These seven homes are the first of many, and they demonstrate that when the Church acts together – with vision, determination and practical support – extraordinary things can happen. I am deeply grateful to the Gloucester Diocesan Board of Finance for their courage and generosity in making this possible.”
Chris Priddy, Co-CEO of Sportily, the diocesan sports ministry initiative, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate a broad joined up approach, led by the diocese, to building a strong and supportive community, and an example that can be followed elsewhere.”
The homes are managed by Bromford Housing Association in accordance with CHA’s values of dignity, security and community. The project has been delivered in close collaboration with the Diocese of Gloucester, and it demonstrates the powerful role that dioceses can play in delivering new homes.
