Faith in Affordable Housing

Affordable housing on church land

Faith in Affordable Housing (FiAH) facilitates the development of affordable homes by working with churches and Housing Associations to develop surplus land and buildings for homes. FiAH helps churches of all denominations to fulfil the Christian value of providing shelter and helping communities.

FiAH has paused its work in England, subject to funding. However, we continue this work in Wales, which you can read about here.

Examples of FIAH in action

FiAH Sites:

More examples of successful affordable housing schemes on church land can be found in these FIAH case studies:

• St Stephen’s Vicarage, Frampton Rd, Gloucester –Diocese of Gloucester in partnership with Rooftop Housing.
• St Paul’s & St Peter’s Church, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales – Church in Wales in partnership with Wales and West Housing Association.
• Carey Baptist Church, Aberkenfig, Wales  – Baptist Union of Great Britain in partnership with Hafod Housing.
• Church Hall Cottage, Chapel Stile, Cumbria  – Diocese of Carlisle in partnership with Skelwith and Langdale Community Land Trust.
• St Goran School House and School Room – St Goran Community Land Trust in partnership with the Diocese of Truro.
• St Aldate’s Church Hall and Vicarage, Gloucester – Diocese of Gloucester in partnership with Rooftop Housing.

A legal guide for land disposal by PCCs, for the development of affordable housing.

Housing Justice and Wrigleys Solicitors

Housing Justice has launched a comprehensive legal guide for churches who are seeking to alleviate homelessness and housing need by disposing of disused church land assets for affordable housing.

You can find out more and read the guide here.

Additional Resources

Some additional resources you may find helpful include:

• The Joint Public Issues team report, ‘How churches can support and create affordable housing at a time of crisis’.
• URC Affordable Housing Policy ADOPTED March 2014
• The National Heritage List for England is a searchable database of all nationally designated heritage assets including Listed Buildings.
• The Historic Wales portal contains a searchable map of Wales which includes the Cadw Listed Buildings.