The 25-unit development is part of a growing ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement to build housing on properties owned by faith-based organizations.
The first San Diego affordable housing development to begin construction after California’s new ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ law passed is taking shape in the Logan Heights neighborhood, reports Andrew Bowen for KPBS. “San Diego adopted reforms in 2019 that streamlined permitting for affordable housing projects on church parking lots. The reforms also allow churches and nonprofits in the city's wealthiest neighborhoods to build affordable housing on their land, even when the underlying zoning doesn't allow it.”
“Bethel One will offer 25 one-bedroom apartments set aside for low-income seniors and veterans, with one additional unit reserved for an on-site property manager. It's being built by Bethel AME, a 136-year-old Black church.”
The project is replacing an aging duplex on a lot already owned by the church. As Planetizen has noted in other stories, faith leaders supporting the ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement say helping with the housing and homelessness crisis is part of their responsibility to the community. “I really believe that churches have a tremendous responsibility to not just our congregation, but to the community in which our churches are located,” said Bethel AME senior pastor Rev. Harvey Vaughn III.
FULL STORY: San Diego's first affordable housing project on church land under construction
'Yes In God's Backyard' Offers a New Way Forward for Housing Advocates
San Diego housing advocates have coined a new term: "YIGBY," or "Yes in God's Backyard," to advance prospects for affordable housing development on property underutilized by houses of worship. The city's planning department is receptive.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
San Diego School District Approves Affordable Housing Plan
The district plans to build workforce housing for 10 percent of its employees in the next decade and explore other ways to contribute to housing development.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont