housing – The Church of England in Parliament

Bishop of Hereford asks about sustainability of rural economies

The Bishop of Hereford asked a question on the sustainability of rural economies during a discussion on the government’s home building target on 15th September 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Hereford: My Lords, many villages are increasingly unable to retain young families, agricultural workers and other key members of the rural workforce because of a shortage of affordable homes. As the Government pursue their housebuilding target, how will they ensure that rural communities remain sustainable local economies, rather than becoming places local people are priced out of?

Bishop of Manchester highlights links between homelessness and reoffending during debate on housing for early release prisoners

The Bishop of Manchester spoke in a debate on partnership working between prisons and housing authorities to prevent rough sleeping among early release prisoners on 16th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I too thank the noble Lord, Lord Farmer, for securing this important debate, not least because it brings together two of my long-term concerns—homelessness and the rehabilitation of offenders. I declare my interests as the chair of the Church Housing Association and as a trustee of the Clink Charity, which works within and beyond prisons.

Homelessness is both a cause and a consequence of offending. Breaking this cycle requires an understanding of individual vulnerabilities and a “whole community” approach to rehabilitation. Without long-term, joined-up thinking that provides prison leavers with the tools to live independently, prisoners are trapped in a cycle of reoffending. This undermines their intrinsic human value. From these Benches, I would add “their God-given value”. In St Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus notably refers to concern for prisoners as one of just a handful of criteria determining a divine judgment.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about funding for rural housing schemes

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 9th July 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what proportion of the first round of Strategic Partnership funding grants awarded under the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme are for rural housing schemes.

Church Commissioners Written Questions: Clergy Housing

On 15th June 2026, the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Marsha De Cordova MP, gave the following written answer to a question from an MP:

James Cleverley MP (Con, Braintree): To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, with reference to the Answer of 20 March 2026, to Question 118770, on Church of England: Council Tax, if she will publish a copy of the high-level assessment.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about housing supply and housebuilding

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 21st May 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support SME builders in order to diversify the housebuilding sector.

King’s Speech Debate: Bishop of Chelmsford raises issue of affordable housing

The Bishop of Chelmsford spoke in the King’s Speech debate on 20th May 2026 on the topic of housing, urging government action to tackle the crisis in housing affordability:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford: My Lords, as the Church of England’s lead bishop for housing, I commend the measures in the gracious Speech that will improve different parts of our housing system.

The housing affordability crisis threatens to unravel the unwritten social contract: that if you get a decent education and then work hard, you should be able to earn enough to save for a deposit, buy a home, get married, start a family and provide stability for your children until they can do likewise. While these proposed Bills are important and worth while, I urge the Government to use this forthcoming legislation to address the most acute part of the housing crisis: the affordability of homes, whether for rent or for purchase.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about changes to refugee status and housing

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 24th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government when they expect to publish the National Centre for Social Research evaluation of the pilot move on period for newly recognised refugees to leave asylum accommodation.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about making housing available

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answer on 18th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government whether they plan for a proportion of their 1.5 million homes target to be met by bringing empty homes back into use.

Bishop of Chelmsford asks about government housing targets

The Bishop of Chelmsford received the following written answers on 16th March 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Chelmsford asked His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of labour shortages, planning and regulatory rules, and any viability challenges, on the delivery of their target to build 1.5 million homes.

Bishop of Manchester asks about affordable housing

The Bishop of Manchester asked a question on support for community land trusts and social housing initiatives during a discussion on the government’s new homes target on 8th January 2026:

The Lord Bishop of Manchester: My Lords, I am grateful for the answers that we have had, particularly around social rent and affordable rent. Does the Minister agree that we also need to make space for things such as community land trusts and other community-led social housing initiatives, which can often provide accommodation in particular niches and communities that is much more sensitive to the needs of local communities? They may not be volume builders, but I would urge that they have a vital part to play.

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