Rep. Peters Introduces Bill to Allow Faith-Based Institutions to Build Affordable Housing

Washington, DC - Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) and Chuck Edwards (NC-11) introduced the bipartisan Faith in Housing Act, to allow nonprofit religious organizations to develop affordable housing on their land.

Under today's burdensome permitting and zoning laws, many organizations eager to serve their communities are barred from doing so. The Faith in Housing Act will cut through the red tape and bureaucracy, empowering faith-based organizations to play a meaningful role in addressing the housing crisis.

This legislation clarifies that faith-based institutions have the authority to build affordable housing, regardless of restrictive local zoning laws. Additionally, religious institutions will be requiredto maintainlow and middle-income affordability, partner with a nonprofit manager, and comply withhealth and safety standards.

"In San Diego and across the country, too many families are priced out of their neighborhoods due to the skyrocketing cost of housing. Religious institutions often seekto provide affordable housing to address gaps in their communities, butencounter roadblocks when local rules prohibit them from building housing on the land they own. If we want to put a dent in our country's housing shortage, we'vegot to get creative and take advantage of our partners who already have footholds in our communities," said Congressman Peters.

"Government red tape should never stand in the way of faith-based organizations working to make a difference in their communities, said Congressman Edwards. "Our nation is facing a growing housing crisis, and if local religious organizations are ready and able to provide a roof over people's heads, we should be doing everything we can to support their mission."

A letter of support from national, state, and local groups is available here.

"The Faith in Housing Act is a practical step to make affordable housing an as-of-right use on faith-owned land," said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth and Up for Growth Action."By eliminating barriers that stand in the way of congregations living out their mission, this bill enables faith institutions to deliver safe, affordable homes and strengthen the communities they serve."

"Rising housing costs are squeezing families because we're not building enough homes," said Adam Kovacevich, CEO, Chamber of Progress."The Faith in Housing Act lets religious organizations turn unused land into affordable housing-bringing rents down in the neighborhood while giving those institutions a steady source of income to keep serving their communities."

"As a Lutheran Bishop in Northern California, I know that church land is holy ground-not just for worship, but for service, for community, and for justice," said Rev. Jeff R. Johnson, Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. "Across our state, congregations are ready to put that land to work for the sake of our neighbors, creating homes instead of leaving property unused. The Faith in Housing Act builds on the progress we'vemade to remove unnecessary hurdles and opens the way for churches to live their faith in action. Our pews are full of compassion, and with this bill, our land can be full of affordable homes. It'sa faithful and just response to a crisis that demands both."

"NHC welcomes this forward-thinking, bipartisan legislation as a practical and timely solution to America's housing crisis. With a shortage of well over 3 million homes, we cannot afford to leave valuable land sitting idle," said David Dworkin, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference (NHC). "By giving faith-based institutions the tools to transform underutilized land into affordable housing, the Faith in Housing Act expands opportunity and provides stability for families across the country."

Full text of the legislation can be found hereand a one pager is available here.

###