This bill establishes programs to provide technical assistance and competitive grants to faith-based organizations, higher education institutions, and local governments to increase the supply of affordable rental housing on their property.
Nanette Barragán
Representative
CA-44
The Yes in God's Backyard Act establishes a new federal program to increase the supply of affordable rental housing on property owned by faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education. This initiative will provide technical assistance and competitive challenge grants to local governments and other entities to remove regulatory barriers to development. The goal is to facilitate the creation or preservation of housing targeted toward low-income, homeless, and special needs populations.
Yes in God's Backyard Act Targets Affordable Housing Shortage with $325 Million in Grants and Technical Support for Faith Organizations and Colleges.
The 'Yes in God's Backyard' (YIGBY) Act aims to unlock a massive, untapped resource for housing: the land already owned by churches, synagogues, and universities. By creating a dedicated pipeline of technical expertise and cash through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the bill seeks to turn excess parking lots or underused campus space into affordable apartments for people making 100% of the area median income or less. It’s a direct response to the 'Not In My Backyard' (NIMBY) sentiment, providing a framework for organizations that already have a mission-driven interest in their communities to start building homes without getting stuck in the mud of bureaucratic red tape.
Turning Pews into Properties
Developing real estate is a headache even for professionals, let alone a local church or a small college. To solve this, the bill authorizes $25 million in 2026 (and $10 million annually through 2031) for a technical assistance program. This isn't just a stack of brochures; it’s a toolkit for these organizations to learn how to manage land leases, find development partners, and navigate the specifics of housing for veterans, people with disabilities, and the homeless. For a local pastor who wants to help their aging congregation stay in the neighborhood, this program provides the 'how-to' guide for building intergenerational housing that actually meets federal standards.
Breaking the Regulatory Logjam
Beyond just advice, the bill puts real money on the table through a $50 million annual Challenge Grant program. These grants aren't for everyone—they are specifically for cities and states that have already updated their laws to make this kind of building easier. To get a piece of the pie, local governments must prove they’ve removed policy barriers. For a construction worker or a retail manager struggling with rising rents, this is designed to speed up the supply of units where the rent is capped at 30% of their income. The bill specifically prioritizes projects in 'well-resourced areas,' meaning it’s pushing for affordable options in neighborhoods that already have good schools and transit, rather than tucking them away in isolated corners of the city.
The Fine Print and Future Hurdles
While the bill is a major step toward housing density, there are a few areas where the details are still a bit blurry. The definition of a 'faith-based organization' is largely left up to the HUD Secretary, which means the types of groups that qualify could shift depending on who is in office. Additionally, while the bill encourages building in 'well-resourced' neighborhoods, it doesn't specify how to handle potential pushback from existing residents regarding neighborhood character or infrastructure load. For the average person, this bill means more construction in established areas, but with the trade-off of finally seeing more affordable options on the market near where they actually work.