LivShare and CDA partner on affordable housing projects in Derby and Chelmsford

LivShare is working with the Church Development Agency (CDA) on two affordable housing projects in Derby and Chelmsford.

LivShare is led by Rebecca Stockman and Andy Redfearn, who both previously worked for the YMCA and saw that people leaving supported housing often had no suitable move-on accommodation. This led them to explore shared living, affordable housing, temporary accommodation, and ways of using land for long-term community benefit.

Rebecca and Andy contributed to the Church of England’s Coming Home report by producing a guide for churches on using land and assets for affordable housing. They also piloted projects with seven churches before the CDA was established.

Their work continues with housing providers, churches, and other organisations on housing development and strategy, focusing on non-profit, value-driven schemes.

LivShare’s role in the CDA partnership projects is to provide project management, client representation, and guidance through complex housing development processes. They work with stakeholders, including planners, registered providers, PCCs, and local congregations.

Rebecca said: “What we bring is knowledge in a space that many people don’t have experience in. Most organisations just don’t have the capacity or the time to build the connections and understand the systems around it. We work across a broad space in terms of affordable housing projects, not just in the Church space, so it feels like we bring a diverse amount of knowledge and experience.”

For the Diocese of Derby, the project focuses on an unused church site in an area that has a need for more housing. The church building on the site is currently unusable – a grant from the Housing Project will fund early-stage work, including progressing through the pre-application process, establishing what is possible on the site, and developing a business case.

For the Diocese of Chelmsford, the scheme is further developed; a registered provider is already in place, and the aim is to make the project fully feasible.

“The Coming Home report underpins a lot of what we do,” Rebecca said. “The ‘5S’ framework helps churches to deliver housing that keeps the focus on meeting local needs, rather than just getting the highest price for land. Most churches looking at development want to provide affordable or social rent homes, and the framework gives them the confidence to do that.”

Rebecca’s background includes a master’s degree in real estate focused on affordable housing and church land, and she is currently completing a PhD on the same subject. Both she and Andy are active in their local church and are familiar with its decision-making structures.

“It’s great to work with another organisation that’s aligned with our values. It feels like the natural place to be for us. Churches that want to do this deserve to be well supported. It’s a tough thing to do, and it takes tenacity. If we can be part of that, it’s a real privilege,” Rebecca said.