28 families in Armley now have access to new affordable and energy efficient homes – thanks, in part, to the property development work of the Diocese of Leeds.
54North Homes, a housing association that focuses on high quality affordable housing, purchased a surplus vicarage and community hall at St Bartholomew’s, Armley, and obtained planning permission to demolish the existing buildings and deliver 28 new affordable homes.
The agreement between the diocese and 54North Homes was made possible by a new Diocesan Property Development Manager post, who works to manage and dispose of glebe land and ex-benefice sites.
The establishing of the post was inspired by the Church of England’s ‘Coming Home’ report, commissioned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in response to the housing crisis. It sets out actions for the Church, government and other stakeholders with a focus on building better communities and homes, not just houses.
Ground was broken at the Wesley Road site by constructors the Ashfield Group in October 2024, and construction progressed well to deliver 20 two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom flats, one of which is fully wheelchair adapted.
Of the 28 properties, 22 are for social rent tenants, and six for shared ownership.
All initial tenancies, and 60 per cent of subsequent lets, will be offered to people on the council’s housing register.
The first three tenant households moved in during February 2026, and the other properties were occupied by the end of March.
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