.png)
Houses of Worship & Community
A 99-year-old warehouse in the Bronx has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use development, becoming a community anchor as the new home for LaGree Baptist Church. This redevelopment integrates community and commercial spaces, offering spiritual uplift and economic revitalization in the Melrose neighborhood. The church, previously located in Harlem, now occupies a 31,000-square-foot building that includes a sanctuary, retail storefronts, and rentable spaces. The fellowship hall features flexible seating for community events, while new elevators and stairwells encourage healthful activity.
Harlem's Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church recently hosted "Taste & See," a series of Sunday vegan cooking classes aimed at promoting healthy eating and urban gardening. The initiative, led by the church's health ministry, invited congregants and neighbors to learn plant-based recipes, tips for growing vegetables, and advice on avoiding processed foods.
Housing Solutions
New York is experiencing a housing crisis with affordable housing vacancies at a historic low. Despite adding 1.2 million jobs in the past decade, only 400,000 housing units were built, causing rent prices to surge disproportionately compared to salaries. At the City and State’s Affordable Housing in New York Summit, local and state leaders discussed the need for more affordable housing and tenant protections.
RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, presented the state’s housing budget and executive priorities, which include over 15 proposals to increase housing supply. These proposals involve tax incentives for mixed-income rental housing, commercial-to-residential conversions, and accessory dwelling units.
Nationally, the affordable housing crisis is also intensifying as millions of Americans struggle to find affordable housing, and the problem is worsening as aging properties fall into disrepair. The National Housing Trust (NHT) highlights challenges such as inadequate subsidies, weak cash flow, and aging properties. The pandemic has exacerbated these issues, reducing rent collections and increasing costs.
Owners of 64 New York City office buildings are exploring conversions to housing, aided by the city's Office Conversion Accelerator Program, which streamlines the process for navigating regulations. This initiative aligns with Mayor Eric Adams' plan to create 20,000 apartments over the next decade to address the city's housing shortage. So far, four buildings have either completed or begun conversions, adding about 2,100 apartments. Two more buildings have received permits to start renovations.
In Traverse City, Michigan, communities are facing a housing crisis due to rising living costs driven by gentrification. In response, entrepreneurs in the community initiated a $20 million project called Commongrounds. They utilized a unique financing method, raising $1.3 million from nearly 500 residents through crowdfunding, with additional support from small investors and local activists.
Commongrounds, which opened last year, includes 18 affordable apartments, short-term rental units, commercial kitchens, a restaurant, a food market, a coffee training center, a performing arts center, a co-working space, offices, and a Montessori preschool. The project operates under a cooperative management model, with over 1,000 co-op members participating in governance.
Climate Change
Climate change poses a severe threat, but faith communities have significant potential to drive impactful action. Faith communities can educate and mobilize members towards environmental activism and collaboration across faiths and with scientists can amplify calls for climate justice, model sustainable lifestyles, and pressure governments through advocacy.
Across the U.S., houses of worship are increasingly adopting solar systems. The federal Inflation Reduction Act's direct pay program now allows tax-exempt entities to receive tax credits for renewable projects, making solar installations more feasible. Greensky Hill Indian United Methodist Church in Charlevoix, Michigan, is planning to install solar panels on its meeting hall to promote sustainability.
Check out our Local Law 97: New Guidance for Houses of Faith event for materials on the latest updates and guidance for LL97 and how to improve buildings to be more environmentally sustainable.
If you enjoy these weekly updates, please consider becoming a Bricks and Mortals member or making a contribution so we can continue to provide this and resources like it.
Sign up to join our mailing list and get these every week!
