Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Church leaders in Texas are urging state legislators to pass laws that would make it easier for faith-based groups to build housing on their properties.
According to an article by Brittney Johnson for NBC Dallas, churches say the rezoning process for building housing can be expensive and time-consuming, with one Dallas-area church waiting six years for a permit to build affordable housing. “Now, they’re just months away from watching families move into 300 affordable units located just five miles from the church.”
A package of Texas state bills that includes House Bill 3172 would reduce barriers to housing and mixed-use development on church land and place the property on tax rolls while the church retains ownership. “The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops says if the ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ (YIGBY) legislation passes, there are churches ready and eager to tackle new housing projects across the state.”
FULL STORY: Amid affordable housing crisis, Texas churches push to build in “God's Backyard”
Colorado Church Fights for Right to Provide Housing
A church in Castle Rock, Colorado is suing the city, pointing out the lack of shelter options for unhoused residents in the area.
Faith-Based Housing Brings Light Density With Less Resistance
The ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ movement brings together powerful partners to develop housing in areas where development might otherwise encounter opposition.
California Housing Advocates Closely Watching Bay Area Rezoning Deadline
California’s reaction to cities that fail to submit compliant zoning plans could reverberate across the state as other regions near their deadlines.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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
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Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
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Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service