Faith-Based Development in Affordable Housing and Reuse of Religious Property: Promising Practices and Social Alignment with Urban Planning

Abstract

Currently, the United States faces an affordable housing crisis. In urban cities, buildable land for low-income housing is scarce and prohibited by exclusionary zoning laws. A growing number of religious congregations are developing under-utilized land to create affordable housing, motivated by both faith mission and economic need. This research study seeks to examine successful congregation affordable housing partnerships, identify development practices and compare them to urban planning standards. Drawing on social capital theories, we assess whether congregation member social networks play a significant role in project success. Interviews and online survey data were collected from representatives of 33 congregation sponsored affordable housing development projects. Qualitative analysis identified successful practices for forming the congregation-developer partnership and engaging congregation and community members in the planning process. Survey findings demonstrate congregation affordable housing development projects obtained a high percentage of urban planning social indices, including locating projects in a higher opportunity area and provision of resident social support services. Faith representatives reported that congregations mediated their social capital as a main strategy to overcome neighborhood opposition.