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”
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.
Church-to-housing trend grows in Southern California
Many faith leaders are eager to support housing construction on church land.
Five simple zoning changes that any city can make to increase housing affordability
Zoning for more affordable housing is not rocket science, says Donald Elliot, author of "An Even Better Way to Zone." Here’s his five-step guide to getting started.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association