San Diego Church Breaks Ground on Housing Project

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.