All solutions
Legalize housing
Yes in God's backyard
Let churches and faith institutions build homes on land they already own.
Written by YIMBY LawWhat it does
Enable faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and colleges to build affordable housing on underutilized land they already own — bypassing restrictive local zoning to put tax-exempt property to work against the shortage.
Example legislation
Bills that carry this policy, passed and in progress.
Backs faith institutions building affordable homes on their own land.
Yes In God's Backyard Act
Why localities should pursue yes in God's backyard
The problem
Churches are among the largest landowners in their communities — Virginia's faith institutions alone collectively hold roughly 74,000 acres of undeveloped land. Most of it sits idle under restrictive zoning, while the institutions themselves struggle financially with declining attendance.
The fix
Let faith institutions — and, for maximum impact, nonprofits and postsecondary institutions — build housing by right on their own land under objective standards. Gentle density in high-opportunity neighborhoods, on existing infrastructure, without large-scale redevelopment.
“”Housing on religious land follows the Fair Housing Act like every other home — special permission doesn't mean special exclusion.
YIMBY Law
Crafting the policy
What separates versions that produce homes from versions that produce headlines.
Must include
- By-right development
- Expedited permitting
- Institutional flexibility
Watch out for
- Strict affordability measures
- Aesthetic requirements
- Setbacks and floor-area ratios beyond health & safety
Why each one matters
After it passes
What to watch so the law turns into homes.
- 1
Set clear effective dates
- 2
Let developments use tax abatements, grants, or direct subsidies to reduce construction costs
- 3
Add enforcement with an appeals process or legal recourse
Appeals board, third-party standing, or Attorney General referral
- 4
Establish objective approval standards with firm timelines
Automatic approval if the locality misses its deadline
Make the case
What to say at public comment, in a letter to council, or to a neighbor.
Talking points
Say them at public comment, put them in a letter to your council, or send them to a neighbor. Copy any one.
Likely allies
The groups that tend to show up for it.
6 likely allies
- Affordable housing developers
- Community land banks
- Enterprise Community Partners
- Local religious leaders
- Nonprofits & higher-education institutions
- YIGBY & FBHI
Wins & momentum
Where it has already passed.
2wins since 2026
- 2
- 2
Related primers
Bringing this to your city council?
You don't have to make the case alone. Our chapters have passed policies like this before — join one, or start one, and bring the movement with you.