Homeless Bound?
Homeless Bound? B7: Faith in affordable housing
Speakers:
Steve Joyce Director Southwark and London Diocesan Housing Association
Alastair Murray Deputy Director Housing Justice Chair:
Richard Trahair Housing Justice Trustee and retired Diocesan Property Secretary
Faith in Affordable Housing USING CHURCH ASSETS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Tracey Bessant Project Coordinator
Richard Trahair Housing Justice Trustee
Steve Joyce Director, Southwark & London Diocesan H.A.
How FiAH evolved Faith Inaction (2006) Affordable Rural Housing Commission Report
(Defra, 2006) FiAH guide 2007 Funding for Project Coordinator (2011- end 2013) Steering Group (Diverse membership)
Is the church doing enough? Over 1 million children living in overcrowded
housing (Shelter, 2012) 90,000 children living in temporary accommodation (Shelter, 2012) One in 12 families in England are on the waiting list for social housing (NHF, Oct 12) 86% more in-work housing benefit claimants than three years ago (NHF, Oct 12)
Changes in ministry Ageing congregations / fewer stipendiary
clergy Underutilised buildings / land = drain on
scarce resources Aim – reduce overheads & increase
community engagement
Perceived barriers • It’s not something we’ve considered (3%)
• There’s no local support (10%) • Planning constraints get in the way (13%) • There’s no funding (6%) • We’ve no land available (10%) • We need to make money (10%)
• It’s too onerous and time consuming (16%) • Charity law doesn’t enable us (29%) Base for this question: 26 respondents (19 C of E)
Charities Act (1993, Section 36) The Doctrine of Christianity enables the
‘best value’ test to be passed. Written objectives don’t need to provide
specifically for those in housing need. If a disposal is furthering a charity’s
purposes, then it can be made at less than best price.
Charities Act (1993, Section 36)
‘Many people would understand that part of the doctrine of Christianity is the assistance of poor and needy people and therefore activities towards those ends could be seen as a means of advancing Christianity.’ Charity Commission (England and Wales), 30 May 2008
FiAH referrals 54 cases (11 active)
2/3 land; 1/3 buildings Majority CofE; South West
43% closed due to planning issues;
30 % due to decision to sell on open market.
What can Churches do?
Diocese of Southwark Anglican Parish of St James, Bermondsey (near
London Bridge) Enormous vicarage fallen into disrepair Partnership between Diocese of Southwark, Parish, and Southwark & London Diocesan HA Demolished old vicarage and built a block of 8 flats and a new smaller vicarage in its place New vicarage = land cost to HA. Total project costs = £1.5 m (50% HCA funding and 50% SLDHA commercial borrowing) 16/11/2012
16/11/2012
Contact TRACEY BESSANT F I A H P R O J E C T C O O R D I N ATO R HOUSING JUSTICE Te l : 0 7 7 1 3 5 6 4 3 5 7 ( 9 A . M . – 1 P. M . ) T. B E S S A N T @ H O U S I N G J U S T I C E . O R G . U K
S T E V E J OYC E DIRECTOR S O U T H WA R K A N D L O N D O N D I O C E S A N H . A . TEL: 020 7089 1370 S T E V E . J OYC E @ S O U T H WA R K . A N G L I C A N . O R G
Homeless Bound? Your feedback is important to us! Thank you for attending and please don’t forget to complete your evaluation form and hand it to a member of Federation staff before you leave.
Speakers:
Steve Joyce Director Southwark and London Diocesan Housing Association
Alastair Murray Deputy Director Housing Justice Chair:
Richard Trahair Housing Justice Trustee and retired Diocesan Property Secretary
Faith in Affordable Housing USING CHURCH ASSETS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Tracey Bessant Project Coordinator
Richard Trahair Housing Justice Trustee
Steve Joyce Director, Southwark & London Diocesan H.A.
How FiAH evolved Faith Inaction (2006) Affordable Rural Housing Commission Report
(Defra, 2006) FiAH guide 2007 Funding for Project Coordinator (2011- end 2013) Steering Group (Diverse membership)
Is the church doing enough? Over 1 million children living in overcrowded
housing (Shelter, 2012) 90,000 children living in temporary accommodation (Shelter, 2012) One in 12 families in England are on the waiting list for social housing (NHF, Oct 12) 86% more in-work housing benefit claimants than three years ago (NHF, Oct 12)
Changes in ministry Ageing congregations / fewer stipendiary
clergy Underutilised buildings / land = drain on
scarce resources Aim – reduce overheads & increase
community engagement
Perceived barriers • It’s not something we’ve considered (3%)
• There’s no local support (10%) • Planning constraints get in the way (13%) • There’s no funding (6%) • We’ve no land available (10%) • We need to make money (10%)
• It’s too onerous and time consuming (16%) • Charity law doesn’t enable us (29%) Base for this question: 26 respondents (19 C of E)
Charities Act (1993, Section 36) The Doctrine of Christianity enables the
‘best value’ test to be passed. Written objectives don’t need to provide
specifically for those in housing need. If a disposal is furthering a charity’s
purposes, then it can be made at less than best price.
Charities Act (1993, Section 36)
‘Many people would understand that part of the doctrine of Christianity is the assistance of poor and needy people and therefore activities towards those ends could be seen as a means of advancing Christianity.’ Charity Commission (England and Wales), 30 May 2008
FiAH referrals 54 cases (11 active)
2/3 land; 1/3 buildings Majority CofE; South West
43% closed due to planning issues;
30 % due to decision to sell on open market.
What can Churches do?
Diocese of Southwark Anglican Parish of St James, Bermondsey (near
London Bridge) Enormous vicarage fallen into disrepair Partnership between Diocese of Southwark, Parish, and Southwark & London Diocesan HA Demolished old vicarage and built a block of 8 flats and a new smaller vicarage in its place New vicarage = land cost to HA. Total project costs = £1.5 m (50% HCA funding and 50% SLDHA commercial borrowing) 16/11/2012
16/11/2012
Contact TRACEY BESSANT F I A H P R O J E C T C O O R D I N ATO R HOUSING JUSTICE Te l : 0 7 7 1 3 5 6 4 3 5 7 ( 9 A . M . – 1 P. M . ) T. B E S S A N T @ H O U S I N G J U S T I C E . O R G . U K
S T E V E J OYC E DIRECTOR S O U T H WA R K A N D L O N D O N D I O C E S A N H . A . TEL: 020 7089 1370 S T E V E . J OYC E @ S O U T H WA R K . A N G L I C A N . O R G
Homeless Bound? Your feedback is important to us! Thank you for attending and please don’t forget to complete your evaluation form and hand it to a member of Federation staff before you leave.
