Keeping the faith in affordable housing

Clergy around the Bay Area are building housing that our communities need.

Across our region, advocates from every walk of life are rising up and taking action to shape a future that includes all of us. On an unexpected front, more faith leaders are beginning to develop affordable housing. At the core of their effort is a simple, yet powerful goal: to make sure everyone in our community has a home here in the Bay. 

Here is the story of three faith leaders from San Mateo, San Leandro, and Berkeley whose congregations are stepping up to build the housing our region needs.

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Meet three faith leaders who are taking action

Pastor Marylyn Bussey, St. James A.M.E. Zion Church

“Through our New Beginnings Residential Village, we are providing five units of safe, affordable housing for young people aging out of the foster care system. We believe this is how we help people get off the street and create a new chapter in their lives.”

Reverend Molly Baskette, First Church Berkeley UCC

"We're building 49-69 units of family housing to serve a wide variety of people – from college students and transition-aged youth to families of all shapes and sizes. Every person deserves a safe place to call home, and we're here to make that happen."

Pastor Michael Kim-Eubanks, Bethel Community Presbyterian Church

“We're building five micro-housing units for individuals with disabilities, providing them with the opportunity to continue their journey toward independent living. Everyone deserves a chance at stability.”

Faith leaders understand that it’s our shared responsibility to care for everyone in our community — and that all of us have a role to play. They know it’s time to put action behind our region’s values through real solutions – solutions like SB 4, landmark legislation that has opened up thousands of acres of underutilized faith-owned land for new affordable homes. 

We’re keeping the faith in a new Bay Area future because when we come together, we know change is possible. It’s up to us – all of us.

 

 

 

Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act (SB 4)

After years of organizing for housing justice within the faith-based community, the passage of SB 4 shows what's possible when unexpected advocates take action for change.