Housing on a Quarter of 133 Church Campuses: A Diocese Sets a Target for Its Land

• The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles targeted housing on 25 per cent of its 133 church campuses
• Blessed Sacrament in Placentia plans a $33-36 million senior housing project
• St Michael’s in Riverside opened 50 units of permanent supportive housing
• Partners include Habitat for Humanity and National CORE

The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles set out to build affordable housing on a quarter of its church properties, Episcopal News Service reported in October 2023.

The diocese has 133 church campuses across five and a half counties. Projects already under way included a senior housing project costing $33 million to $36 million on a 3.8-acre lot at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Placentia, with 62 affordable units at Santa Angelina; a 50-unit permanent supportive housing complex at St Michael’s in Riverside; 66 senior apartments at Orchard View Gardens on 1.76 acres at St Joseph’s in Buena Park; and 24 affordable townhouses planned with Habitat for Humanity. Partners include National CORE, Episcopal Communities & Services and United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

“We’re in 133 communities and 5 1/2 counties. Every single one of those communities is part of one or more political jurisdictions,” said Bishop John Harvey Taylor. The Rev Barrett Van Buren said: “This is a ministry that we’re talking about. Senior citizens have such an incredible need for low-cost, affordable housing.” The report said 4,000 to 6,000 seniors were on the waiting list for the Placentia housing.

“You have to take care of your neighbor, or what are you doing,” said the Rev Juan Jimenez.

Setting a diocese-wide target turns housing from an occasional project into a strategy, and allows lessons from early projects to be shared.

Jamaican denominations with land across many parishes could consider a similar audit: which sites have spare land near services and transport, and which could host homes for seniors, young families or church workers. Partnerships with experienced housing developers and the NHT, and clear agreements on ownership and management, would be essential.

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