“We Need Everyone at the Table”: Maryland County Changes Its Zoning So Churches Can Build Affordable Homes

• Montgomery County Council in Maryland approved the FAITH zoning amendment in April 2024
• It removes barriers to affordable housing on land owned by faith groups and private schools
• Projects must meet one of five affordability thresholds and pass conditional use review
• Supporters included Habitat for Humanity, AARP and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington

Before churches can build homes, the law has to allow it. In April 2024 Montgomery County Council in Maryland passed a zoning change aimed at doing just that. Zoning Text Amendment 24-01, known as the Facilitating Affordable Inclusive Transformational Housing, or FAITH, amendment, removes barriers to building affordable housing on property owned by faith-based organisations and private educational institutions.

The measure was sponsored by Council Vice President Kate Stewart and Council President Andrew Friedson. Under it, projects must meet one of five affordability thresholds and go through conditional use review.

“Today, we took a step forward to address our affordable housing crisis in the County,” Stewart said. Friedson added: “We can’t combat the housing crisis alone; we need everyone at the table rolling up their sleeves.”

Supporters included Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, Montgomery for All, Montgomery Housing Alliance, AARP and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Sarah Reddinger of Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland said: “This exciting ZTA facilitates partnership between mission minded groups and will allow us to provide more affordable housing.” Weeks later, the county joined Enterprise Community Partners and Truist in launching a separate programme to help congregations actually develop their sites.

The pairing is instructive: first change the rules, then help churches use them. In Jamaica, a church that wants to build a few homes on its land may face zoning, subdivision and planning requirements designed for commercial developers. A clear, simpler pathway for small, affordable church housing schemes, approved by local municipal corporations and national planning bodies, could make a real difference. For church leaders and diaspora professionals, Montgomery County’s FAITH amendment is a concrete example to cite.

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