What is the role of Black churches in the SDS Supportive Housing Fund?

Black churches play a unique and central role in the SDS Supportive Housing Fund model. Seven of the first 15 projects will be built on church land, primarily from African Methodist Episcopal and African American Baptist churches. These partnerships allow churches to further their mission of serving community members in need of housing while also generating cash flow for the congregations themselves.

How many housing developments and individuals will the Fund serve?

The SDS Supportive Housing Fund is expected to finance 30 permanent supportive housing developments and house 1,800 individuals experiencing homelessness. The Fund represents a new model of faith-based community development that addresses both housing needs and church sustainability.

What is the Faith Community Coalition?

The Faith Community Coalition is a network of over 200 member churches, mostly African American, created in 2017 by Rev. John Cager. The coalition seeks better development opportunities for faith leaders, aiming for churches to work with developers in full partnerships that evenly split revenues and allow churches to eventually own the properties, rather than being taken advantage of by predatory developers.

How do the church partnerships work financially?

RMG Housing engages in 99-year ground leases with churches rather than buying their land outright. Churches participate in the cash flow of the project on equal terms with RMG. Housing units are constructed for under $200,000 each, with revenue from sources like the federal Section 8 housing program used to pay rent and cover debt.

Which specific churches are participating in the program?

Specific participating churches include Heavenly Vision Church in South Los Angeles (building a 54-unit development on their school lot) and Harvest Tabernacle Bible Church in Southeast Los Angeles (building housing for about 150 families). Both churches are working with RMG Housing and SDS funding to create permanent supportive housing while maintaining their community presence.

March 19, 2021

Religious News Service Covers SDS Supportive Housing Fund

A recent Religious News Service article profiled the SDS Supportive Housing Fund, highlighting the unique role of Black churches in the Fund model. The Fund is expected to finance 30 permanent supportive housing developments and house 1,800 individuals experiencing homelessness, and seven of the first 15 projects will be built on church land. Not only does this partnership allow churches to further their mission of serving community members in need of housing, but it also generates cash flow for churches themselves. To read the full article, click here.

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