California lawmakers vote to fast-track low-income housing on churches’ lands
Religious institutions and nonprofit colleges in California could soon turn their parking lots and other properties into low-income housing to help combat the ongoing homeless crisis, lawmakers voted on Thursday.
The legislation would rezone land owned by nonprofit colleges and religious institutions, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues, to allow for affordable housing. They would be able to bypass most local permitting and environmental review rules that can be costly and lengthy.
California is home to 171,000 homeless people — about 30% of all homeless people in the U.S. The crisis has sparked a movement among religious institutions, dubbed “yes in God’s backyard,” or “YIGBY,” in cities across the state, with a number of projects already in the works.
That was my initial thought. In general, churches are seeing loss of participation across the board NPR. It would really easy to funnel the homeless into church if they're literally living feet away from the narthex.
And what happens to those who refuse to come and worship? Are they booted out?
There's definitely a problem with homelessness, but I don't want to see these people be coerced into anything.
Having been homeless myself, I have a hard time believing they can coerced of anything they don't want to be.
Being homeless makes you shrewd, as a matter of survival. You're average Joe doesn't stand a chance.
While I agree this could be particularly harmful for the more extreme cults, I do see where it could be a safety net of safety nets.
I am not religious, I am an atheist. But I wouldn't have a problem returning to the church I grew up in if that was the housing I could afford for my family. The ELCA, at least from what I took away from it, largely helped me form my values I have today. Interestingly, it also helped me leave the church too, so not everyone's experience.
Christians who actual act like Jesus told them to act become the most persuasive missionaries, by accident.
If every Christian was as accepting, offered physical, real help while teaching future solutions, and treated everyone egalitarian, or the same, no matter their job, past, finances, race, etc* as Christ was then fuck, Id be a Christian too.
"I like your Christ, but not your Christianity." - Gandhi
I thought about using that at the end, ty for adding it.
Most likely outcome. These are the people famous for holding bologna sandwiches hostage from starving people until they agree to hear indoctrination pitches under duress.
Possible, but I think if they allow the buildings in the first place they might not be the assholes who have the phobias. And if they’re on non profit land, they wouldn’t be religious assholes either.
But there’s always the possibility.
The Salvation Army makes you go to services if you stay at their shelters.
WHAT!?! TIL, thank you.