Our History

Originally established as Liverpool Habitat for Humanity, HPBC was formed as a response to the devastation of 9/11.

Our original patrons (L-R): Akbar Ali MBE (deceased), Lord David Alton and Councillor Gideon Ben Tovim

Our original patrons (L-R): Akbar Ali MBE (deceased), Lord David Alton and Councillor Gideon Ben Tovim

Our founders co-organised the ‘twin beams’ commemoration event at the Royal Liver Building on 11th September 2002, which paid tribute to the victims of the World Trade Centre terrorist attacks and celebrated the ethos of building communities together and creating harmony and reconciliation.

Steel drummers at our key handover celebration event in September 2007

Steel drummers at our key handover celebration event in September 2007

We had just been gifted 2.2 acres of land in Granby-Toxteth by the Liverpool Roman Catholic Archdiocese and were embarking on a journey to build 32 homes on Kingsley Road and Alt Street in Liverpool. Literally thousands of volunteers from all walks of life and from across the globe were coming to Liverpool to help build our community. The members of our Board of Trustees were gathered from many disciplines and our first two members of Staff were sponsored by Heartlands, a charity set up by the Maritime Housing Association.

First Home Partner key handover, September 2007

First Home Partner key handover, September 2007

Ainsley Gommon Architects drew up the plans for the 32 homes, which were unveiled in June 2003. We have continued to work with this Wirral-based Chartered Practice and they have provided the plans for the current work at St Bernard’s Catholic Church.

We are now working in partnership with Onward Housing Group for the conversion and refurbishment of St Bernard’s Catholic Church to create 16 new homes. Other notable partners whose support on this development has been invaluable include Hamptons Development NW and Wilkinson Cowen.

X Factor finalist and local girl Rebecca Ferguson with Army volunteers on the Toxteth site.

X Factor finalist and local girl Rebecca Ferguson with Army volunteers on the Toxteth site.

Father Peter Morgan (of St Bernard’s) launched the work on site at the Kingsley Road Project at a sod-cutting ceremony in January 2004. Our patrons Lord David Alton, Cllr. Gideon Ben-Tovim and the late Akbar Ali MBE, later planted an olive tree on our site as a symbol of peace. We celebrated our first key handover in September 2007 with our home partners, volunteers, supporters and patrons, serving up scouse and featuring entertainment from local groups such as Urban Strawberry Lunch, Beatlife, and Liverpool singer/songwriter Jennifer John.

We were formerly partnered with Sanctuary Group for the Alt St Project, and have received continued support from Liverpool City Council, the Homes & Communities Agency/Homes England, Wienerberger and the 75 Engineers regiment of the Territorial Army.

A few celebrity visitors have popped in to see us too, including American singer/songwriter Nell Bryden, X-Factor finalist Rebecca Ferguson, Liverpool born singer Elvis Costello and the world famous Harlem Globetrotters.