Through our Faith in Affordable Housing project, we work with churches of all denominations in England and Wales to release surplus land or buildings for affordable housing.
Affordable housing on church land
Dozens of affordable housing units are produced each year through our Faith in Affordable Housing Project
There is great need for more affordable housing in all areas of England and Wales and we believe the church can be part of the solution to housing need. We also help churches benefit from improved facilities through partnership working with affordable housing developers.
The Faith In Affordable Housing Project, currently operating in England and Wales, provides practical support and advice to churches on disposing of surplus assets. We help church trustees explore their options and find suitable partners.
We help churches balance the desire to make a difference to communities, with being good stewards of church assets. We help churches ensure good governance by complying with the requirements of Charity Law if selling land or buildings for charitable purposes.
Our support includes attending church meetings to talk about the FIAH project, facilitating discussions between churches and housing associations and providing practical advice throughout the development process. We also have a strategic role which includes lobbying government on behalf of churches and helping denominations adopt a policy on land disposal for affordable housing.
You can tell us about church owned land you think has potential for social housing development here.
Examples of FIAH in action
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.
Housing Justice Legal Guide for Churches Seeking to Support Housing Need
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.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR PROGRESS AND WORK IN WALES 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.
Our Partnership Event with Wrigley's Solicitors
Elizabeth Wilson and Jon Lee share their reflections on our Faith in Affordable Housing event held in partnership with Housing Justice
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