Church Land vs. Zoning: YIGBYâs Holy Housing Hustle!
In a divine plot twist for affordable housing, the bipartisan Faith in Housing Act, championed by Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC), aims to loosen local zoning shackles so churches, mosques, and synagogues can build homes for low-income families â because apparently Godâs backyard is now the hottest real estate market in America. Spawned from San Diego's 2019 YIGBY movement (Yes In God's Backyard), where faith meets funky zoning law, the bill even allows 5% of homes for staff or clergy, but everyone else regardless of deity is welcome! Texas tragically conflated it with a Muslim housing fight and burnt the whole thing down. Florida watered down their bill to a tepid soup allowing only houses of worship land to participate. Meanwhile, New York, Colorado, and other states gave YIGBY a swift branding as 'states-rights drama.' Rep. Peters sums it up eloquently: 'Itâs not about hundreds of thousands of units, but hey, it's a statement from on high!'
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Churches turning parking lots into affordable homes sounds great until Texas confuses affordable Heaven with Sharia Real Estate and Florida only lets faith-based landlords play house next door. Godâs backyard might just need a zoning permit... or a miracle.
Who knew sanctuaries had acres of untapped affordable housing potential? Too bad Texas tangled faith with fear, turning YIGBY from gospel to political gospel drama.
If churches canât build homes because of zoning laws, does that mean Godâs real estate empire is stuck in red tape purgatory? YIGBY: Pray for permits, not peace.
Source: Vox | Published: 9/26/2025 | Author: Rachel Cohen
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