Southern California churches convert unused land to create affordable housing options.

In a significant development in addressing Orange County’s housing crisis, the Santa Ana United Methodist Church has repurposed its underutilized property into a 93-unit housing complex known as Legacy Square. This initiative reflects a broader trend among religious institutions in California that are collaborating with affordable housing developers to meet pressing community needs.

When Pastor Adiel DePano assumed leadership of the Santa Ana United Methodist Church in 2017, the church’s secondary site was in dire condition, described as a “biohazard” due to frequent fires and litter. At that time, the region was grappling with a homelessness crisis, recording 193 deaths among the unhoused in 2017, the highest in a decade. As the church’s membership dwindled, with hundreds lost since the 1990s, DePano and his congregation faced a critical decision regarding their 1.74 acres of land.

Instead of selling the property for million, church leaders opted to partner with affordable housing developers under the initiative “Yes in God’s Backyard.” This decision aligns with a growing movement among religious organizations to leverage their resources for community betterment. According to Doug Gillen, chairman of the church’s board, converting church land into housing represents a compelling solution for the wider community’s welfare.

Legislative support has bolstered such efforts. California Senate Bill 4, passed in 2023, streamlined the approval process for new housing projects, overriding local zoning restrictions and removing certain environmental regulations. This legal framework facilitates partnerships between churches and developers, a strategy seen as beneficial in overcoming land scarcity for affordable housing.

In Santa Ana, Legacy Square serves as a vital resource, offering 33 units designated for individuals at high risk of returning to homelessness and the remainder for low-income families. The church receives ,000 monthly in rental income, bolstering its community programming, which includes holiday gift drives and educational initiatives.

The project was funded in part by a .4 million grant from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program. National CORE, the developer responsible for Legacy Square, continues to expand its partnerships, eyeing additional projects across Southern California that capitalize on church property for housing development.

As the housing crisis intensifies, this innovative approach of converting church land into housing could potentially transform more than 170,000 acres into much-needed residential spaces. The successes of these projects illustrate the capacity for religious institutions not only to adapt but also to play a pivotal role in addressing social issues within their communities.

Media News Source emphasizes that these partnerships must navigate funding challenges, as many sources for affordable housing projects are highly competitive. However, by fostering community support and strategically aligning their resources, churches and developers alike can work towards sustainable solutions for the growing housing demands in California.