Great Western Close, Winson Green

Just around the corner from Winson Green Prison is a new development on old railway sidings in an area of multiple deprivation. A private developer is building around 446 homes, and the Church Housing Association is in negotiations with the developer to purchase around one hundred 1, 2, & 3 bedroom homes within the development. Each of these homes will be let at social rents, making them truly affordable to those that need them. The intention is that the scheme will generate funds each year for community support - delivered by pioneer ministers already working in the community to tackle homelessness.

The Diocese of Gloucester generously provided initial funding that enabled the Church of England Birmingham (CofEB) to identify and progress several social housing projects (this project is one of twelve across the diocese that are being actively considered at the moment). From October 2024, the Church Development Agency (CDA) has taken these projects forward in partnership with CofEB, courtesy of a generous grant made to Birmingham DBF by a philanthropic foundation. This project is not on Church land, and the team are in discussion with Homes England to supply a grant to Church Housing Association to help fund the purchase.

The government requirement for social housing on this development was only 6%, so without the Church’s involvement there would be fewer social homes available to people in need in the area.  The local church-based community ministry is already working with hundreds of people a week. Their on-the-ground knowledge and deep community links helped establish the opportunity in the first place and to lobby the developer to sell properties to the Church. The church’s presence and activity within the new estate will be a sustained and integral part of a new community, helping it to thrive.

The project has now secured planning permission.  Discussions are already underway with Homes England, who are interested in the scheme, and grant can be officially sought once the Church Housing Association has secured registration.

It is hoped that work can start on site in the summer of 2025, with construction on the social homes expected to last around eighteen months.