URC publishes guide to affordable housing on church land

Churches - including the United Reformed Church (URC) - are significant land owners across the UK. Often that land is under utilised and is located in areas of particular housing pressure. Action to offer surplus church land for affordable housing was one of the commitments made by the URC in adopting its strategy “A Church with People at the Margins” in 2024.

The URC North Western Synod has now published a short guide for local churches about affordable housing, which can be downloaded from their website. Although written primarily for a URC context, the guide will be of benefit to local churches of any denomination or none who wish to explore this important opportunity for meeting the needs of local communities.

The guide covers why it should be important for churches to explore the use of surplus land and buildings to provide affordable housing. It also provides an introduction to how you can develop affordable housing projects at a local level.

Archbishops Council housing project manager Beki Winter states, “I was supporting the development of this resource while in my previous role at Housing Justice, so I’m delighted that it’s finally complete. The URC and the Church of England face similar challenges with underused church buildings, and this guide provides a clear direction of travel for local church trustees who are thinking of taking the exciting step of embarking on a housing project.”