Op-Ed: Let Churches Build Housing

The Los Angeles Times editorial board writes in support of a proposed bill that would make it easier and more affordable for religious institutions to build housing on land they own.

“Senate Bill 4 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) would allow 100% affordable housing projects to be built by right — meaning the development proposal would be reviewed by city staff but the projects wouldn’t need planning commission or city council approval — if the developments are on land owned by religious institutions or nonprofit colleges and meet objective planning standards.”

According to the board, “California has nearly 39,000 acres of land used for religious purposes that could be developed,” with close to half of it in ‘high opportunity’ neighborhoods, where cost, zoning, and local opposition often make it difficult to build affordable housing. And many churches are eager to make use of this space and provide much-needed housing. “Allowing [churches] to build low-income housing would make better use of their property and generate income from the rentals. The bill also applies to nonprofit colleges, and it would make it easier for campuses to add affordable housing for employees and students.”

A 2020 version of the bill passed the California Senate but was blocked in the Assembly over disagreements about union labor requirements. The Building Trades Council continues to oppose the current bill, but “SB 4 includes compromise language that lawmakers backed last year in another housing streamlining bill that required union-level wages but not necessarily a union workforce.”