There’s a statewide movement afoot in Colorado in 2025, and Mile High Ministries is helping take the lead. “Yes in God’s Back Yard” (YIGBY) will empower faith and educational institutions to create the housing their communities need. Shorthand, that means churches and schools building affordable housing on their underutilized property.

Why is this a critical need and opportunity right now?

2nd Worst State

As Colorado grows, so does the challenge of providing affordable housing. Colorado lacks around 100,000 homes, making it the state with the second-worst housing deficit in the nation.1

50% Cost Burdened

Half of Coloradans spend more than 30% of their income on rent.2

46% Homelessness Jump

The number of people experiencing homelessness in metro Denver grew by 46% from 2022 to 2023, outpacing all major metro areas except for Chicago.3

20% Affordable

Low, middle, and working-class families lack options to enter the housing market or even live within a reasonable distance from their work and communities. This lack of affordable housing puts pressure on families and communities and prevents local institutions like schools, restaurants, and hospitals from hiring and retaining teachers and other staff. Currently, only 20% of for-sale homes are affordable for a teacher earning a median salary in their district, making it difficult for teachers to live in communities they serve and for districts to retain talent.4

Zoning Barriers

While available land for new housing in established communities is in short supply, many faith- based organizations and non-profit educational institutions own underutilized properties that could be used for housing. However, in many instances, local zoning regulations present significant barriers to developing housing on these properties by not allowing residential development in association with places of assembly or by requiring extensive rezoning processes that add costs to affordable housing, rendering projects financially infeasible. Further, the rezoning process opens up the affordable housing development to significant risk and unpredictability in the approval process as there are more avenues for lawsuits and appeals, preventing these local institutions from providing the housing their communities desperately need.

What Will YIGBY do?

Colorado can empower community organizations, such as faith and educational institutions, to develop affordable housing and address the housing shortage by leveraging existing land and their close connection to community needs. By reducing barriers, right-sizing the review process, and utilizing land that is often centrally located and underutilized, Colorado can ensure that housing is built where there are adequate resources and will reduce unnecessary commutes, limit sprawl, promote building near community benefits, and lessen infrastructure costs for the taxpayers and local governments.

YIGBY is proposing state legislation that will empower certain community-based organizations who already possess land to build the types of housing their communities desperately need. With passage, the law will:

  • Promote equitable growth, reduce income segregation, and enhance community resilience by ensuring critical members of our communities can live in the communities they serve.
  • Reduce barriers and offer new tools for neighborhood leaders to build safe, stable, affordable homes for local residents and families.
  • Align with the broader goals of creating inclusive, affordable, and well-connected neighborhoods, improving the quality of life for countless residents.
  • Any housing built will be subject to the Fair Housing Act which prevents discrimination against any tenant.

Our staff member Jessica Dominguez is helping provide leadership for this initiative. Supporting organizations include Mile High Ministries, Maiker Housing Partners, Gary Advocacy, and Community Investment Alliance.

A great way to find out more is to join us for our February Learning Lunch (details below), follow our social media for updates, and check out Abundant Ground on our website.

References:

  1. Rubino, Klamann, & Svaldi. (2024, March). Colorado’s affordable housing crisis has spread from the mountains to the Front Range. The Denver Post. www.denverpost.com/2024/03/10/affordable-housing-zoning-code-fix-front-range/
  2. Svaldi, A. (2022, February). Half of Colorado renters are now cost-burdened, study finds. The Denver Post. www.denverpost.com/2022/02/24/colorado-renters-cost-burdened/
  3. Hernandez, E. L. (2023, December). Federal data shows sharp rise in homelessness in Denver. AXIOS Denver. www.axios.com/local/denver/2023/12/15/federal-data-denver- homelessness-increase
  4. Berdie, L., Lagana, M., & Schoales, V. (2022, August). Homeownership for Colorado Teachers: Affording the American Dream. Keystone Policy Center. www.keystone.org/wp- content/uploads/2022/08/KPC-012-HomeownershipReport_fa_press-002.pdf