Churches in DC collectively own over 2.5 million square feet of vacant land

That's enough land to build at least 15,000 units - each one a home for a household in the city suffering from inadequate housing today. Churches hold the most valuable resource for building justice housing: land.

Yet our city is losing this valuable resource. According to research conducted by Sacred Spaces Conservancy, the neighborhood of Capitol Hill lost 40% of its religious spaces between 2008 and 2018. Churches across the District are facing the impossible decision of how to grapple with financial struggles, buildings in need of repair, and dwindling congregations. Many have sold their property - a completely reasonable and understandable decision. Financial pressure and a hot real estate market are causing our city to lose not only sacred, historic spaces, but also the valuable land resource that could be used for justice housing development.

But what if there were a way for churches to address their financial challenges while also meeting a serious need in the city? Retain their presence in their communities and provide a home for their neighbors in need? 

There is. Churches can build justice housing.

Across the DC area, churches are expanding their gospel mission by building justice housing. By leasing their land to developers and partnering to design and build justice housing, churches can produce homes for those in need in their communities without losing their property.

Just Homes did not originate this idea. Churches in DC have been doing this for decades. Churches rebuilt the Shaw/U Street Area after the tensions of 1968 led to widespread property damage. The Model Inner City Community Organization, a coalition of mostly black churches led by civil rights activist and pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, Walter Fauntroy, was instrumental in creating affordable housing in the area, and churches like Bible Way Temple have continued this work in the decades since. 

The Faith-Based Development Initiative from Enterprise Community Partners has been working over the past decade to provide grants and technical assistance to houses of worship looking to develop housing and community space on their property. Enterprise has supported the development of over 1,000 units of housing across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Just Homes has been inspired by the incredible faith and commitment of churches across the region who have developed housing over the past few decades, many of which labored for years, fighting uphill battles to finish their projects. Churches like Emory Fellowship and Mt. Lebanon Baptist have led the way with impressive developments of 99 units and 82 units respectively. It was these church development models of partnership that inspired Just Homes to learn more about development, and we seek to honor those examples while equipping other churches to consider what building might look like for them.

Churches don’t have to build big to make a powerful impact.

With such a serious shortage of justice housing in our region, every unit of added supply helps. Living Word Church in Southeast Washington built Trinity Plaza, providing 49 units of housing affordable to low-income households.  Similarly, Macedonia Baptist Church built The Macedonian, a 36-unit building in the Nauck neighborhood of Arlington, VA. Churches can transform unused parish housing into affordable homes or convert a basement space into a few apartment units. The possibilities are vast, and Just Homes is here to creatively brainstorm alongside you.

What if your church doesn’t own any land? Not a problem. 

Many churches have built housing without owning property at all. We can’t let lack of land ownership stop us from dreaming big about building. 

• First Baptist Church of Clarendon built 116 units directly above their church building, in the middle of a densely populated, metro accessible neighborhood in Arlington. No extra land was needed. 

• Bible Way has formed strategic partnerships and gained access to city-owned land across the District to create hundreds of units of justice housing in highly-sought-after neighborhoods.

Does your church have a parish house or some other property that can be reimagined? Maybe a house was gifted to your community or you’re in the position to acquire a distressed property that can be transformed into housing for a low-income resident. Is your church space bigger than you need it to be, opening up the possibility to transform it in a way that aligns with your gospel mission and allows the church to continue its operations?

The possibilities are vast, but some creative thinking is necessary. Just Homes exists to be a thought partner and sounding board for this outside the box brainstorming.

That’s where Just Homes comes in. You’re not in this alone. If you’re interested in learning more about this, reach out to us and we’ll teach you the basics and get you the resources you need. Check out our step-by-step guide to development, designed to introduce the basic terminology you’ll need to sit at the table with developers. Dip your toes into the development waters with this guide, and let us walk with you as you explore further.

When you’re ready to take the next step, we’ll help you find trusted partners and walk with you along the way.

Developers want to work with churches. They recognize the value of church land and want access to it. Why not use your influence to ensure your property is used to meet a clear community need?

Instead of allowing our spaces to be turned into yet another luxury condo, event space, hotel, or skate park, let’s think creatively and reimagine our space in a way that remains in line with the church mission and calling for its community. 

Alexandria’s Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, managed to find a way to save the church and add housing. It’s the same story with First Baptist of Clarendon, and the same with a handful of churches within the National Capital Presbytery network. In fact, churches like Westminster Presbyterian Church in Southwest DC are seeing a renewed interest in their congregation because of the excitement surrounding their housing development project.

When we face challenges, we don’t always need to close up shop and try again somewhere else. Let’s think outside the box, step out in faith, and come up with a better solution together.