Shortage of homes at affordable rents
A universal problem today, especially acute in London and environs. No homes at reasonable rents for local people — our homes are capped at no more than 80% of market rent, and mostly well below.
Solution bringers
Building housing, church and community in positive combination.
"Housing Communities" is the umbrella brand of a series of task-specific, linked not-for-profit companies — an integrated solution to meet the various challenges that hinder or thwart the opportunities. Our projects are locally rooted, locally led and locally owned.
The Housing Communities model
Solution bringers
Why so little has been achieved — until now.
The problems are recognised, familiar even — but we have become inured to them. We are experienced professionals in various disciplines, united by a common goal: delivery.
We have the detailed knowledge and wisdom to devise and deliver an integrated set of solutions. Across our team we have built many schemes, of many varieties — and Housing Communities pulls those people, that wisdom and a shared mission into the same room.
The three problems we tackle
Three chronic problems. One faithful answer.
Britain is short of affordable homes. Communities are fraying. And churches sit on land they can't fully use. We bring those three things into the same room.
Communities diminishing
Many neighbourhoods now have no facilities where local events can build local pride and a sense of belonging. We provide spaces for people to connect and for communities to flourish.
Churches in inadequate buildings
Many churches are crippled by tired, decaying buildings — cost-to-maintain that drains the very mission they want to lead. We reimagine the asset for the church and for the wider neighbourhood.
Our approach
We achieve impact in three ways.
Innovation
Bringing a "three-handed set" — an integrated approach where each partner does what they do best, without compromise on the rest.
Integrated solutions
Housing alongside community space alongside revitalised church facilities. Each strengthens the others; together they hold.
Intentional commitment
To engagement and participation — with the host church, with the residents, with the local authority and with the community.
The Team
Meet the people who built this.
Decades of housing, design and faith-leadership experience, pulling in the same direction across the Christian Investment and Housing Trust and the Church Community Housing Association.
Mark PotterNon-Executive Chair
A Chartered Architect of 40+ years, who founded his own practice in 1987. Heavily involved in community projects — Trustee and Chair of the Devas youth club and community centre, and founder of The Church Land Trust (2021).
Alastair WatsonDirector
Surveyor with a BSc in Land Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Kingdom Theology from Westminster Theological Centre. Forty years investing, planning and building across commercial, community and residential sectors. Director of Spatial Perceptions CBS.
Evette ProutDirector
BA (Hons) Sociology, Sheffield. Eight years advocating for Net Zero, energy-efficient affordable homes delivered through Modern Methods of Construction. Certified Passive House Consultant and Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Practitioner.
Mike SouthcombeDirector
Experienced Project Director and Construction Management Director, overseeing dwelling completions in the South of England since 1971. Director of Spatial Perceptions CBS and the Baptist Union.
David CotterillDirector
Personally overseen the development and completion of 160,000+ mixed-use affordable dwellings in London and across the South of England since 1989. Formerly Development Director with Shaftesbury Housing Group, Springboard Housing Estuary HA and Chelmer Housing Partnership.
Devan KanthasamyCEO
Birmingham graduate in Town Planning and Public Policy. Career in social housing — formerly Chief Executive of the Tamil Committee Housing Association and Teachers Housing Association, before Company Secretary at Old Etonian Housing Association.
Stay in the loop
Get updates on our next wave.
Quarterly updates on new schemes, partner churches and lessons from the build.