Southern California churches convert unused land into affordable housing options.

In a transformative development in Santa Ana, California, the Santa Ana United Methodist Church is leveraging its resources to combat the ongoing homelessness crisis. Under the leadership of Pastor N. Adiel A. DePano, the church has repurposed its neglected secondary worship site into Legacy Square, a 93-unit affordable housing complex designed for low-income families and individuals at risk of returning to homelessness.

Upon his arrival at the church in 2017, Pastor DePano discovered a dire situation; the church’s secondary site had become a virtual biohazard. The grounds were plagued with neglect, frequent fires, and debris, reflecting the broader homelessness crisis affecting Orange County at the time. In 2017 alone, the county recorded 193 deaths among its homeless population, compounding the urgency to address the issue.

Initially considering selling the 1.74 acres of land for million, church leadership ultimately decided to lease the property for affordable housing, aligning their mission with the pressing community need. This decision was part of a noteworthy movement, referred to as “Yes in God’s Backyard,” which advocates for utilizing church land to address the state’s housing shortage. The growing interest among churches to take part in this initiative reflects a shift in how faith-based communities engage with social issues, particularly as their congregations dwindle.

The church’s chairman, Doug Gillen, noted that their congregation has seen significant membership declines since the 1990s, prompting church leaders to explore innovative solutions that could engage and benefit the wider community. The church not only sought to reestablish a positive community presence but also to develop partnerships that could turn unused land into beneficial homes for those in need.

Legislative support has bolstered this trend, with California’s Senate Bill 4, enacted in 2023, streamlining the process for affordable housing development by bypassing local zoning restrictions and expediting approvals.

The Legacy Square initiative serves not just as a housing solution but as a beacon of hope, providing essential services, community programming, and support for its residents. Managed by National CORE, a development organization, the project offers a comfortable living environment that incorporates elements of the church’s heritage, including original stained glass from its previous structure.

This reimagining of church properties is occurring across Southern California, with examples including developments on the grounds of various faith-based organizations being explored. As communities grapple with housing shortages, the collaboration between religious institutions and housing developers represents a promising avenue for sustainable solutions to homelessness and the broader housing crisis. Despite challenges related to financing and infrastructure complexities, the blending of community empowerment with faith-based initiatives continues to inspire a new chapter in urban development.