California lawmaker wants to make it easier for churches and colleges to build affordable housing

"Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-San Pedro, is a co-author of the Yes in God's Backyard Act, which would make it easier for qualifying religious and higher education institutions to build affordable housing while incentivizing local governments to adopt policies to remove barriers to such development. According to bill sponsors, faith-based organizations and colleges are often large landowners but face obstacles to building affordable housing due to outdated zoning laws and cumbersome permitting processes."

"The legislation, if passed, would provide technical assistance to eligible faith-based organizations and public or other nonprofit colleges and universities that wish to develop affordable rental housing on their properties and provide technical support to local governments to share best practices and streamline such development. In addition, it would establish a grant program to reward communities that adopt policies to eliminate barriers to building affordable housing on land owned by religious and higher education institutions."

A proposed federal bill, the Yes in God's Backyard Act, would make it easier for qualifying religious institutions and nonprofit colleges to develop affordable rental housing on their properties. The measure targets outdated zoning rules and cumbersome permitting processes that often prevent large faith-based and higher education landowners from building housing. The bill would provide technical assistance to eligible institutions and offer support to local governments to share best practices and streamline development. It would also create a grant program to reward communities that adopt policies eliminating barriers to such projects. Sponsors include Rep. Nanette Barragán and Rep. Shontel Brown, with Sen. Mark Warner leading the Senate version.

Read at The Mercury News