Sen. Gounardes: Don’t Let Misconceptions Kill The Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act

With more than 100,000 New Yorkers in homeless shelters every night and more than half of renters in the state paying a third of their income in rent, we need to take bold action to address our affordable housing crisis. That’s why I’m so disheartened to see opposition to my Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act based on misunderstandings and false narratives.

Churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith-based organizations are trusted community pillars that offer crucial services like child care, education, and health care. Many already build affordable housing and want to continue that noble tradition, but can’t because of restrictive zoning.

My Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act would enable houses of worship and other faith-based organizations to more easily build affordable homes on their property. This new housing would be available to all who need it, not just members of a faith community; organizations that develop housing under the Act would be prohibited from discriminating based on religion. 

This simple legislation has worked elsewhere, and could be a critical tool in addressing the severe shortage of affordable housing across our state by empowering faith communities to put their values into action. That’s why a diverse coalition of legislators, faith leaders, and civic groups support this Act, and why I plan to fight to pass it in next year’s legislative session.

Read the full op-ed here.