When Rev. Marilyn White took the helm of Trinity East United Methodist Church in Houston more than a decade ago, the grassy lot across the street was largely unused. Over the past ten years, rising housing costs have pushed longtime residents out of the neighborhood, prompting White to explore how the church could help.
From empty lot to senior housing
White joined nonprofit and community meetings, hearing a clear call for affordable housing. The church’s effort is part of a growing “YIGBY” (Yes In God’s Back Yard) movement, an offshoot of the broader pro‑housing YIMBY trend, where religious institutions turn underused land into homes for those in need.
Securing the project required navigating a complex web of financing, zoning and approvals. “You have to have so many ingredients for that to work,” said Mark Elsdon, a Presbyterian minister and developer who works with houses of worship. State officials in Austin initially hesitated to grant an affordable‑housing tax credit for the $30 million project because of the area’s crime rate, but Trinity East’s partnership with local police and a crime‑reduction plan convinced officials to approve the credit.
Funding and partnerships
The development relies heavily on government grants, tax credits and nonprofit expertise. Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit that advises faith‑based developers, helped the church draft proposals and secure financing. Bart Mitchell, CEO of The Community Builders, noted that rising mortgage rates and higher material costs are making such projects more expensive, underscoring the importance of public support.
Construction began in July on a 90‑unit senior community for residents 55 and older. The complex is expected to be operational next year, providing affordable rentals and on‑site services for seniors.
Impact on the congregation and neighborhood
White, who recently retired as pastor but remains involved, believes the project will revitalize the area. “I am more convinced than ever that it can be done, and it should be done,” she said. The church plans to co‑manage the development and offer services to its senior residents, reinforcing its role as a community hub.
Other faith groups across the country are watching Houston’s example. In Washington, D.C., Emory United Methodist Church faced historic‑preservation hurdles before completing a 99‑unit affordable complex. In the Bronx, the Ursuline Sisters leased land to a developer, resulting in a 500‑unit affordable housing complex that has energized the surrounding neighborhood.
While the YIGBY movement shows promise, Elsdon cautions that many church lands remain undeveloped due to financing and regulatory challenges. Nonetheless, the growing number of state and city policies easing land‑use rules suggests a brighter future for faith‑based affordable housing initiatives.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
