Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing?

"When you look at someone sitting on a small church, on a 10-acre property with a dwindling congregation, the question becomes, How can this entity continue to be the beating heart of the community?' Calatayud said in an interview. I think it's to create a village, where we can create more housing and even centralize other needs in the community on that land."

"This year, Florida enacted a measure, sponsored by Calatayud, allowing multifamily residential development on land that is both owned by a religious institution and occupied by a house of worship, so long as at least 10% of the new units are affordable. Some housing advocates believe the zoning override has the potential to unlock roughly 30,000 parcels statewide. Florida's new law is part of a growing movement known as YIGBY Yes in God's Backyard."

"Touted by many faith leaders, lawmakers and developers, the movement imagines a connection between a religious mission to serve and the very real hurdles of building affordable housing. If the U.S. is to meet the nation's demand for new apartments, developers are going to need land, experts say, and parcels owned by faith-based organizations are starting to become a part of the solution for some states."

Many churches face shrinking membership and aging buildings, leaving underused land in their neighborhoods. Florida approved a law allowing multifamily residential development on land owned by religious institutions and occupied by houses of worship, provided at least 10% of new units are affordable. The change could unlock roughly 30,000 parcels statewide. The movement, called YIGBY (Yes in God's Backyard), connects religious missions to serve with efforts to expand affordable housing. Developers see faith-owned parcels as potential land sources, while skeptics worry about reducing local community control over neighborhood development.

Read at stateline.org