Church of England targets 2,000 new homes to address housing crisis

The Church of England is expanding its efforts to address the UK housing shortage through the Archbishop’s Council Housing Project. Established in 2024, the initiative aims to develop nearly 2,000 new homes by utilizing the church's surplus land and properties. The project provides technical expertise from specialists in architecture, town planning, and community housing, alongside financial assistance. To date, the program has supported 85 parishes and distributed £1.2 million in grants to 54 projects.

In a specific development, the Church Commissioners for England have submitted an environmental impact assessment for a proposed residential-led mixed-use site in Ashford, Kent. The plan involves constructing up to 240 homes on land owned by the church near the Finberry estate. If approved, construction could begin in 2029, with the site expected to be fully operational by 2035. This project is part of a broader strategy to meet local housing needs using church-held assets.