Church Housing Trust

Specialties

Church Housing Trust (CHT) is a charity dedicated to the rehabilitation and resettlement of homeless people of all ages and backgrounds. By tackling the longer-​term issues that perpetuate homelessness, rather than providing quick fixes, CHT offers new beginnings for homeless people of all ages.

Our ultimate goal is to help homeless people regain their independence and resettle in the community. This is done by supporting residents in over 80 projects run by Riverside ECHG (formerly English Churches Housing Group) including hostels, day centres, projects for people with drug/​alcohol problems, women’s refuges, temporary housing for ex– Service personnel, accommodation for people with learning disabilities, young people’s foyers and mother and baby projects.

CHT depends totally on voluntary contributions. The additional funds raised significantly enhance the quality and scope of the services and facilities provided for the residents at Riverside ECHG’s schemes.

History

Established in 1984.

Prebendary Wilson Carlile founded the Church Army in 1882 and Church Army Housing in 1924. It soon became the largest lay society in the Church of England and Carlile was centrally involved in its social work for the homeless, often spending nights on the Thames Embankment in winter in order to care for those sleeping rough.

Church Army Housing transferred its hostels to Church Housing Association in 1977 and in 1984 Church Housing Trust was founded to raise charitable funds to support the hostels. The trust became a registered charity in 1991. In the same year Church Housing Association merged with Baptist Housing Association and United Reformed Church Housing Association to become English Churches Housing Group. Church Housing Trust remained an independent charity raising funds for their work with the homeless. More recently, ECHG became part of the Riverside Group and continues to be one of the leading providers of supported housing for homeless people.