The bill known as ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ promotes affordable housing construction on church properties.
California churches are taking advantage of the state’s new ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ law that allows faith-based institutions to bypass some zoning regulations if they want to build affordable housing on their property.
As Ted Chen reports for NBC 4, the Inglewood First United Methodist Church “plans to transform unused classrooms to build 60 units of affordable housing.”
According to Chen, “Many churches plan to follow in the steps of Inglewood First United Methodist Church and begin to develop affordable housing within their property.” Roughly 20 Los Angeles-area congregations have expressed interest in building what could amount to 2,000 new units of housing.
The law, Senate Bill 4, was passed last year along with other bills designed to make housing more affordable in California.
Read the full story: New California legislation allows religious and educational institutions to bypass zoning rules
Virginia Assembly Passes ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Bill
The law would require 60% affordability and ensure that projects have access to water and sewage lines.
St. Pete Allows Housing on Church Land, a Florida First
Religious institutions can now build housing on their properties without rezoning.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades
The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies
International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello