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Migrant Crisis
The influx of over 212,000 migrants in New York City over the past year has exacerbated logistical challenges, particularly with delivering essential mail, such as work permits and court notices, to migrants living in shelters. Delayed or lost mail is causing asylum seekers to miss critical appointments, creating additional hurdles in their efforts to secure work and remain in the U.S. legally. This issue has also been reported in other sanctuary cities like Chicago and Denver, where migrants struggle to maintain contact with government services once they leave shelters.
New York City’s migrant shelter system is under immense pressure, as recent changes in policy have introduced eviction notices for families staying in Department of Homeless Services shelters. Migrant families, like Carlos and his daughter, are facing uncertainty about where they will go next as Mayor Eric Adams’ administration tightens rules in an attempt to manage rising costs.
In another effort to relieve shelter overcrowding, New York City has implemented a pilot program that provides asylum-seeking families with up to $4,000 in grants to move out of the shelter system and into permanent housing. The Asylee Move-out Assistance program aims to reduce the number of people in migrant shelters.
In Colorado Springs, Gateway Presbyterian Church has found a way to support refugees by repurposing their unused manse to house an Afghan family. Religious institutions, like Gateway Presbyterian Church attempt to help migrants by offering not only shelter but also a supportive community.
Affordable Housing
Baltimore faces significant challenges with vacant homes and lots, particularly in low-income areas. The city's proposal for noncontiguous TIF bonds (NCTBs) offers a solution to the financial gap between the cost of renovating abandoned homes and their resale value. This innovative financing tool allows bonds to be issued for individual properties rather than large-scale projects, facilitating affordable housing development.
Religious buildings, particularly in central business districts, are facing closures, creating challenges for adaptive reuse. The "Yes in God’s Backyard" (YIGBY) movement suggests several strategies to repurpose underused worship spaces for community needs, including partnering with developers to create affordable housing. Examples from cities like Miami and Charlotte demonstrate how faith-based properties can be transformed into mixed-use developments, benefiting both the community and religious institutions.
Mayor Eric Adams' "City of Yes" proposal aims to spur the creation of over 100,000 new homes by rezoning areas throughout the five boroughs. An affordable housing coalition has urged Adams to allocate 15% of the $24 billion housing fund to cooperative housing, allowing residents to own shares in their homes and create permanent affordability. Advocates believe cooperative housing is essential to stabilize local economies and provide affordable homeownership opportunities.
Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, New Jersey, is seeking approval to build a homeless shelter on its property, offering 17 beds adjacent to its outreach office. The church, working with the Affordable Housing Alliance, aims to provide services such as mental health counseling and job training to help people transition to stable housing. Ocean County lacks a permanent homeless shelter and also faces rising rents and the loss of affordable motels in the area.
Real Estate Transfers
A Jewish religious center on the Upper West Side has been sold for $10 million to the World Mission Society Church of God, a Christian group based in South Korea. The building, located at 176 W. 105th St., was previously owned by Romemu, a progressive Jewish community. The 10,000-square-foot property features a meeting space, classrooms, a commercial kitchen, and a rooftop play area. Romemu sold the building to consolidate its properties, having other spaces in Brooklyn and Manhattan for its activities.
Environmental Justice and Healing
Extreme heat, exacerbated by climate change, is a growing concern in cities across the United States, particularly in marginalized urban communities. The Smart Surfaces Coalition, which includes partners like the National League of Cities and Habitat for Humanity, collaborates with communities to combat these heat islands through innovative cooling and flood control solutions. Through faith-based and community partnerships, faith partners are helping to empower local organizations in the fight against the effects of climate change, such as flooding and heat-related illnesses, while also working to reform public policies.
As the reality of climate change becomes increasingly evident, more people are experiencing "climate grief"—a deep sense of loss and anxiety over the planet's future. In response, a new type of spiritual advisor, the eco-chaplain, has emerged to support individuals and communities dealing with these emotions. Eco-chaplains offer a safe space for climate activists and others to process their grief, anger, and fear.
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