Churches Housing Group Helps Churches Fill Housing Shortage

Scottish Churches Housing Action is today publishing its new handbook Make it Happen, a guide to developing much-needed affordable housing from redundant and under-used church property.

The handbook is part of the organisation's church property and housing programme, which was launched in November 2005.

In its first year, the programme has identified 50 examples of church buildings or land that have been developed for affordable housing over recent years, contributing around 350 new affordable homes. Most have been developed in partnership with housing associations. A further 30 are in progress or being considered.

Project manager Catherine Killin says: "The programme demonstrates that the churches have the potential to add to the supply of land for affordable housing development. The handbook is an introduction to people in the churches who are responsible for decisions about property, showing them how affordable housing has been developed across Scotland. It takes them through the different stages - seeing if there is a need in the area, deciding if it's right for their church, and finding the right people to work with."

One example in the handbook is the United Reformed Church in Duke St, Leith, whose minister, Rev Leslie Morrison, is also Chairman of Scottish Churches Housing Action. At Duke Street, a new church is being built by Port of Leith Housing Association, with 22 affordable flats for rent above.

Leslie Morrison adds: "Church members want to see their assets working well - not just for the church but for the society in which we operate. Churches have problems with unsuitable buildings and sometimes, simply too many buildings. There is a problem of not enough affordable homes, particularly in cities like Edinburgh, but also in some rural areas. We put these two problems together and come up with opportunities that benefit the church and local communities."

Copies of the handbook are being given to churches considering using land or property for development of affordable housing, and are available for sale from Scottish Churches Housing Action.

For more information, visit www.churches-housing.org