Where to Start
The diocese of Gloucester have had several home building projects over the last 8 years or more - this shows the diocesan project team pictured at a development on the site of the former St Aldate’s vicarage in Gloucester.
If you are considering getting involved in meeting housing in your local area, this is for you.
Starting well = starting with people
If you want to meet housing need, you will benefit from having a clear vision for meeting housing need in your area, born out of relationship and dialogue.
‘Vision’ can sound a bit grand, but it is a shorthand for the following:
Understanding real needs of the community as a whole, and in particular those who might be marginalised
Clarity over the local situation; what is currently provided, what people value about the area, where the gaps are, and anything that may be holding back positive change
What in broad terms your future goals are, what things would look like if you’re meeting the real needs
Put another way - if you are setting out to meet housing need, and you don’t have this in place you may find it hard to make good decisions. It is the equivalent to going on a journey knowing where you are, where you want to get to, and having a map! This is perhaps the most important concept: A vision is vital, and it is only possible to get to that vision by talking to a wide range of local people.
You may know your community well - but even if you personally are very aware there is still benefit from this process. Where projects are the result of a shared community vision they are much more likely to succeed - as the community defines success - for three reasons:
Decisions are informed by a clear understanding of context, goals and priorities that you might have to review, but don’t constantly have to reinvent
A version of the IKEA effect - people are much more likely to respond positively to a project they have personally contributed to
Minds and priorities will be changed: The process of discussing housing need and putting real human faces to that need will lead to a different response than the ‘cold’ reaction to a proposed development.
Whether or not you are planning on initiating a housing project yourself, you will be serving your community well if you act as the catalyst towards this kind of vision. The process invites people to think differently - and about each other as well as their own needs. What results can help others make good decisions on housing. Want an idea of what that could look like in practice? Take a look at the BIMBY toolkit
