Holy Hospitality: How Churches Are Responding to Housing Needs
- VEREP
- Aug 26
- 1 min read
As congregations face changing attendance patterns and underutilized property, many are discovering new ways to live out the Gospel through “holy hospitality.” A recent reflection by Lisa G. Fischbeck, published by ECF Vital Practices, highlights creative models across the country where churches are reimagining land and buildings to address housing insecurity.
The article describes innovative responses, from Pee Wee Homes in Chapel Hill, NC, to microhome villages in Portland, OR, and high-rise affordable housing in Alexandria, VA. Each example shows how churches can use their property, partnerships, and creativity to provide safe, dignified housing for neighbors experiencing homelessness or economic insecurity.
Projects range in scale — from converting rectories into temporary family housing to offering safe parking lots, shared meals, or showers. While models vary, all share a common thread: faith communities responding to God’s call to welcome the stranger and serve their neighbors with compassion.
For VEREP, these stories echo the work happening in Virginia as congregations discern how their land and buildings can be used for mission and community impact.
This reflection was originally published by ecf Vital Practices.
Explore more about how VEREP partners with congregations in Virginia to practice holy hospitality through housing and property redevelopment on our Current Projects
