Amid a Housing Crunch, Religious Groups Unlock Land to Build Homes

Amid a Housing Crunch, Religious Groups Unlock Land to Build Homes  The New York Times

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Jan 26, 2024 - 23:30
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Amid a Housing Crunch, Religious Groups Unlock Land to Build Homes

Amid a Housing Crunch, Religious Groups Unlock Land to Build Homes

Faith-Based Organizations Unlocking Real Estate for Affordable Housing

Faith-based organizations are unlocking their real estate to develop affordable housing, but they face challenges from reluctant local residents, wary lenders, and strict zoning laws.

Introduction

Emma Budway, a 26-year-old autistic woman who is mostly nonverbal, had been living with her parents in Arlington, Va. She longed for her own place, but because she earned little income, she could not afford to move out. So when the opportunity came to move into a two-bedroom apartment in December 2019, she jumped at the chance.

Gilliam Place: A Success Story

Now Ms. Budway lives at Gilliam Place, an affordable housing complex built on property formerly owned by Arlington Presbyterian Church. “My world has gotten so much larger,” she said.

Faith-Based Organizations Addressing Housing Affordability Crisis

Ms. Budway is the beneficiary of a growing real estate trend: Across the nation, faith-based organizations are redeveloping unused or derelict facilities to help rectify a housing affordability crisis while also fulfilling their mission to do good in the world.

Financial Challenges Faced by Faith-Based Organizations

With the exception of a few well-heeled churches or synagogues, most religious organizations tend to be land rich and cash poor, said Geoffrey Newman, an executive managing director at Savills, a real estate services company.

Potential and Obstacles

“They are analyzing what they can do to alleviate their financial stress and what role real estate plays in that process,” he said. “If the stars align with good property, a robust real estate market, active developers, favorable zoning, and forward-thinking institutional leadership, then there’s a wealth of potential.”

Challenges Faced by Faith-Based Organizations

Still, the challenges are mounting. As more houses of worship venture into affordable housing, they face resistance from parishioners, a “not in my backyard” reaction from local residents, and questions of solvency from lenders. They also are hindered by their lack of expertise around real estate development. But, as the Rev. Ashley Goff of Arlington Presbyterian Church put it, faith-based organizations see the need and feel the pull to “do something bigger than themselves.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. No specific indicators mentioned in the article.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. No specific indicators mentioned in the article.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. No specific indicators mentioned in the article.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 1: No Poverty
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses how faith-based organizations are developing affordable housing to address the housing affordability crisis, which is connected to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Additionally, the involvement of partnerships between religious organizations, developers, and local communities relates to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property.
  • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

The article highlights the efforts of faith-based organizations to provide affordable housing to individuals like Emma Budway, who faced financial constraints. This aligns with Target 1.4 of SDG 1. The development of affordable housing complexes, such as Gilliam Place, contributes to achieving Target 11.1 of SDG 11. Lastly, the collaboration between religious organizations, developers, and local communities demonstrates the pursuit of Target 17.17 of SDG 17.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

The article focuses more on the challenges faced by faith-based organizations in developing affordable housing rather than providing specific indicators to measure progress.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 1: No Poverty Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property. No specific indicators mentioned in the article.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. No specific indicators mentioned in the article.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. No specific indicators mentioned in the article.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: nytimes.com

 

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