Federal “Yes in God’s Backyard” Bill Could Help Virginia Faith Communities Build Affordable Housing
- VEREP
- Sep 3
- 1 min read
Updated: Sep 8
Faith communities across Virginia could soon have new support for building affordable housing on their properties. A proposed federal bill, the Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY) Act, would provide funding and reduce barriers for congregations seeking to use church land for housing development.
The legislation aims to address the housing crisis by recognizing that many faith-based organizations own underutilized land and buildings that could be transformed to meet community needs.
For VEREP and congregations in the Diocese of Virginia, this could mean expanded opportunities and resources for projects that connect property stewardship with mission and ministry.
The bill has drawn national attention and reflects a growing awareness of how churches, synagogues, and other religious communities can play a role in addressing housing shortages.
This story was originally published by WHRO. Read the full article here »
VEREP will continue to monitor federal and state housing policy developments that impact faith-based organizations. Learn more about our work with congregations on our Current Projects page.
