Church of England completes registration of its Housing Association, the CHA

The Church of England has finalised it registration with the RSH for the set up and approval of it's own housing association, the CHA, or Church Housing Association, and has appeared on the list of registered housing providers for England this month.

It was set up in 2023 to help deliver sustainable, affordable homes, predominately on land owned by the 42 dioceses of the Church of England, of which some is land which can be developed. The CHA was originally set up as a response to the 2021 Coming Home report on the housing crisis in England, commissioned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. It is to work alongside the CDA, Church Development Agency, which in turn will build a pipeline of properties, with a plan to build 30,000 sustainable, affordable homes across England, helping to grow communities.

The first properties to be acquired by the CHA are seven properties in Gloucester.

The chair of the CHA, David Walker, who is also the 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." He went on to say, “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.”

Alongside the CHA, the Archbishops’ Council has provided a provision of £4.25m spread over five years to give advice and small grants to Church of England parishes that have a need and requirement to create affordable housing.