By: Mabel Thompson, UConn School of Public Policy Intern
In today’s interconnected world, addressing social challenges requires an intersectional approach that recognizes the multiple, overlapping identities people hold and the systemic barriers they face. Our latest webinar, The Intersection of Affordable Housing and Faith-Based Initiatives, hosted on March 21, 2025, brought together thought leaders, religious leaders, activists, and professionals to explore how we can foster truly inclusive spaces for all. Faith-based organizations have long played a crucial role in addressing housing insecurity. Their deep community ties, mission-driven focus, and access to resources position them as key players in the push for affordable housing. Additionally, Sean Ghio, Policy Director with the Partnership, testified earlier in the month on CT General Assembly H.B. 7062, a proposed bill aimed at permitting religious organizations to develop affordable housing on property owned by the organization.
Click here to view the webinar recording.
Click here to view a copy of the HUD/LISC Toolkit: HUD Grantee Guide to FBO_full toolkit.pdf
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
Dr. Ruth T. Nichols from Local Initiative Support Coalition (LISC) highlighted how well-intended policies sometimes fail to address the diverse needs of communities. For example, faith-based organizations own more than $92 million worth of land across the five boroughs of New York, which is about 2.5 times the size of Central Park. Given this significant land ownership, these organizations are in a unique position to influence housing supply and affordability but have fallen short. As part of the discussion, Dr. Nichols referenced the 2024 toolkit “Working with Faith-Based Organizations on Affordable Housing Development”, which promoted policies and initiatives that leverage resources for equitable housing solutions. In her remarks, she highlighted the historical role of religious institutions in providing housing support, successful faith-based affordable housing initiatives, policy and funding opportunities for faith-driven housing efforts, and strategies for fostering interfaith collaborations in housing advocacy.
Dr. Nichols also noted the importance of authentically engaging affected communities as key to effective policymaking and program development. She shared success stories from grassroots organizations throughout the United States that prioritize lived experiences, ensuring solutions are community-driven. She asked participants, “Sometimes policies represent barriers…are Faith-Based Organizations ready?”. Nichols asserted that housing solutions should be expansive, and parties at the table for actual housing development need to explore opportunities with potential roles for a variety of different partners. Faith-based entities prefer collaboration on projects, leading to a variety of success on different projects and gaining valuable lessons from working with partners.
Darrell Brooks is a pastor with Beulah Land Development Corporation (BLDC). To illustrate the motivation for his organization to start developing housing opportunities, Pastor Brooks shared a lived experience whereby a baby had fallen ill and the relative who had to care for her was the child’s paralyzed grandmother. This misfortune drove their church to build an apartment complex that was handicap accessible. Brooks stated, “Faith guides today’s challenges,” referring to challenges such as the additional barriers that stand in the way of affordable housing for some people. BLDC started working in the housing space in 1994 with an initial 50 units and an additional 69 units were completed by the end of the year. He said his hope was to “Be able to transform individual lives to move to the next level in terms of creating an opportunity” There are a lot of development opportunities in front of BLDC. All of these housing initiatives are aimed at helping individuals create wealth for their families.
Cori Mackey from the Center for Leadership and Justice (CLJ) highlighted that faith-based organizations are not housing experts, but they are part of a concrete long-term systemic movement that has come to support housing efforts. She highlighted that a faith-based organization needs power to change policies. The congregation, on its own, is too limited to change policies. Policymakers should help aggregate the power of the congregation and their shared values to drive needed changes. Mackey spoke about the Housing Action Teams that CLJ has started and are helping to develop local teams of advocates to get involved in addressing the issue of affordable housing in towns across CT. This is a way for faith-based organizations to get more involved in supporting their neighbors in having a safe and stable place to call home.
What Can Be Done with a Collaborative Mission
The webinar underscored the importance of cross-sector partnerships between government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and faith-based organizations. Collaboratively, these entities can design more holistic solutions that address intersectional barriers to success. We are all encouraged to take concrete steps, such as amplifying underrepresented voices, and advocating for policies that consider intersectional identities.
As we move forward, we must embed intersectionality into all aspects of our work—from policymaking to community engagement. This webinar served as a potent reminder that once we realize the common intersections among human and social needs for all people, collaborating across systems is not just a goal but an ongoing commitment to equity and justice.
Faith-based organizations are uniquely positioned to address affordable housing challenges by leveraging their vast land ownership, community trust, and commitment to social justice. These institutions can play a transformative role in expanding housing access by fostering partnerships with policymakers, housing advocates, and developers. As we continue these conversations, it is crucial to recognize the power of collaboration in creating sustainable and inclusive housing solutions.