Church of England Launches Initiative to Develop Nearly 2,000 Homes

The Church of England is advancing a national housing initiative aimed at addressing Britain’s ongoing housing shortage. Established in 2024, the Archbishop’s Council Housing Project assists local parishes in utilizing surplus land and properties to develop residential units. The program provides parishes with specialized guidance from architects, town planners, and community housing experts, alongside financial support for development costs.

To date, the project has supported 85 parishes, with £1.2 million in grants distributed across 54 initiatives. Working in tandem with the Church Development Agency, the church aims to construct approximately 1,952 homes, with over 1,000 designated as affordable housing. The effort follows a 2021 recommendation from the Archbishops' Commission on Housing, Church and Community, which urged the church to lead by example in tackling the national crisis.

Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani of Chelmsford noted that these developments offer more than just physical shelter. She stated that the projects provide missional opportunities, strengthen the church's community presence, and create potential income streams to help sustain and grow local ministry.