Law firm Trowers & Hamlins has advised the Church of England on the registration of Church Housing Association (CHA) as a registered provider of social housing.
The registration of CHA will facilitate the practical delivery of the recommendations of the 'Coming Home' report published by the Commission of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on Housing, Church and Community in February 2021. This landmark report emphasised the need for a national housing strategy focused on the common good which delivers housing which meets five core values of being sustainable, safe, stable, sociable and satisfying.
CHA will work across a number of dioceses making use of Church land to embark on an ambitious development programme. CHA will work in partnership with wider Church organisations, local authorities and other housing providers to deliver the vision set out in the Coming Home report. Registration gives CHA access to additional funding streams to accelerate this delivery.
The Trowers team was led by Senior Associate Emma Kirby, who said:
"We are incredibly proud to have worked on the registration of CHA. The Coming Home report identifies both the scale of the challenges facing those involved in affordable housing delivery and the immeasurable benefits that come from access to a safe and stable home within a thriving community. We are delighted to support CHA as it leads the way in implementing the vision of the Coming Home report and demonstrates what can be achieved when thinking about housing and communities in new ways."
The Chair of CHA, The Right Reverend Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester said:
“Registration with the RSH represents a crucial step in our journey to put the recommendations of the Coming Home report into practical action. The report challenged us to reimagine housing as more than just bricks and mortar, but as the foundation for human flourishing. With regulatory recognition, we can now expand our work to create truly affordable homes that build community and dignity. We are excited to start our journey with the acquisition of seven homes in Innsworth, Gloucester later this year.”
