From the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy:
Faith-Based Property Ownership in Virginia: A Potential Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis
Richmond, VA — Faith communities in Virginia own more than 74,000 acres of land across 22,000 parcels, according to a groundbreaking study released today by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Many congregations want to use their land to provide much-needed affordable housing and other mission-oriented development to benefit the community.
Today, the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is releasing a comprehensive report, Faith-Based Property Ownership in Virginia. The Center commissioned HousingForward Virginia, a non-partisan, non-profit research and policy organization, to conduct the study. The report highlights the quantity of land across the Commonwealth that could be leveraged to benefit surrounding communities. Eric Mai, Executive Director for Strategy and Sustainability at HousingForward Virginia said, “There is without a doubt a significant amount of potential for mission-oriented congregations to help address their communities’ most pressing issue: affordable housing.”
The report includes maps of faith-owned land listed by acreage and number of parcels in all of Virginia’s planning districts and state legislative districts. The Hampton Roads planning district has the largest number of congregational-owned parcels in Virginia, with more than 3,000. The Northern Shenandoah planning district contains the most acreage, totaling over 14,000 acres. The report serves as an essential resource for advocates, faith communities and lawmakers as they consider how to use land to address Virginia’s affordable housing crisis.
Faith leaders are grappling with tough economic challenges including aging buildings, smaller collections, the needs of neighbors and shrinking congregational membership and attendance. Across the country, houses of worship are raising revenue by utilizing land as a community resource for projects including affordable housing and day care centers.
The Virginia Interfaith Center has been a long-time advocate for affordable housing. This year, it’s focusing on a bill that would enable localities to streamline the process for congregations (and other property tax-exempt nonprofits), to build multi-family affordable housing.
Sheila Herlihy Hennessee, Faith Organizing Director for the Center, said, “Congregations have a philosophy of care for the community. When people of faith see a need, they want to respond.”
As the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy works toward a future where faith communities can use their land in mission-driven ways, this report will support both faith leaders and policymakers, in bringing much-needed resources to Virginia communities.
LINK TO Faith-Based Property Ownership in Virginia report
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is a multi-faith, nonprofit, non-partisan organization with a statewide base that includes over 20,000 people of faith and good will in every legislative district in Virginia, working together with hope for and focus on a more just society.
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