Heads up Economic Development experts! We have yet another acronym to add to the vegetable soup. YIGBY – Yes, in God’s Backyard – is popping up in conversations across the country as communities look to the original carpenter himself to help boost housing availability.
As part of TPMA’s weekly internal discussion on emerging trends, the team discussed Vox’s article ‘6 Standout Housing Policy Ideas from 2024’ and was struck by an unlikely but inspiring partnership with, you might say, divine intention.
The YIGBY movement arose from two simultaneous societal trends
- Communities desperately need affordable housing, and
- Religious institutions are grappling with declining congregations and rising costs.
YIGBY capitalizes on the unique position of religious institutions, which often have more flexible zoning permissions. By leveraging underutilized land, churches and other faith-based organizations can address affordable housing shortages while securing their financial sustainability. As VOX’s Rachel Cohen notes, the movement’s value proposition is twofold: religious institutions can continue fulfilling their mission of service while repurposing underutilized property to create much-needed housing and generate revenue.
A Model for Faith-Based Affordable Housing Development
TPMA saw the model in action while conducting a housing needs analysis in Fairfax, Virginia. Collaborating with three mission-focused housing organizations, Fairfax Presbyterian Church is developing 1.6 acres of excess land and parking into transitional and low-income housing. The partnership, which includes Homestretch, HomeAid, and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, recently broke ground on an affordable housing development known as Glebe View.
Through a ground lease agreement, the project will create eight family-owned homes and two transitional housing units, meeting a critical community need. Each partner plays a vital role: Habitat for Humanity brings construction expertise, HomeAid contributes building materials and skilled labor at reduced costs, and Homestretch provides property management for transitional housing. Church members contributed legal, accounting, and engineering expertise, highlighting untapped skills within the community.
Overcoming Challenges and Gaining Community Support
While the initiative is an inspiring example of faith-based community development, it wasn’t without challenges. The first hurdle? Securing buy-in from the congregation. Some members were concerned about losing open space on the property. Project leaders emphasized that the development plan would preserve 54% of the open space, including a walking path around the church’s 8.25-acre property.
Leaders also framed the initiative within the Christian mission of service, emphasizing the scriptural call to build and nurture communities through love and mutual care. This theological grounding helped gain support among church members.
The project needed land rezoning approval from the Fairfax City Council and like many proposed housing developments, the project faced Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) opposition. Concerns ranged from increased traffic and parking to preserving mature trees and maintaining neighborhood character. To address these issues, project leaders conducted extensive community outreach, highlighting the development’s potential benefits, including:
- A sustainable funding source, helping secure the church’s future.
- Housing solutions for congregation members, particularly seniors.
- Energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable design.
Groundbreaking (in More Ways than One)
The journey to breaking ground on Glebe View took over six years, in part delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the initiative’s success is a testament to the power of strong partnerships, intentional community engagement, and persistence. By fostering transparency and inclusion, project leaders built trust among congregation members, residents, and governing bodies, ultimately securing overwhelming support.
Fairfax Presbyterian Church’s work demonstrates how faith-based institutions can play a pivotal role in addressing the nation’s housing crisis. The YIGBY movement offers a replicable model that other religious organizations can consider, creating a win-win scenario for both communities in need and the institutions themselves. As housing shortages continue to challenge communities nationwide, these initiatives serve as a beacon of innovation, demonstrating that faith, community, and thoughtful planning can create lasting solutions.
Join the YIGBY discussion at Smart Take with TPMA on May 21, 2025!