Housing through faith.
Quality of life through faith.
Placemaking through faith.

We empower faith-based groups to build places that foster community belonging through housing.

Image courtesy Ross Chapin Architects.

WHAT WE DO

What is the Faith-Based Housing Initiative?

The FBHI links incremental development talent with your leaders of faith to learn how to build mission-based housing. There are speaker symposia, design and development workshops, and film events where people can learn the skills necessary for building communities.

  • Part 1 — Speaker Symposium

    Working with the local host, the FBHI provides up to four topical experts to assist and inspire faith organizations to proceed with the difficult work of developing housing.  Speakers include experts in the field of architecture, development, and policy, curated with local talent and needs. The symposium can be private or (time-contingent) coordinated with a larger public event.

  • Part 2 — Design Workshop

    In a ½ day intensive, your organization works directly with a leading designer in the space, drawing schematic site plans specific to your site. It includes scaled drawings, parking, trees, open space, and identification of potential architecture. 

  • Part 3 — Development Workshop

    This Boot Camp offers an actionable curriculum and one-on-one support for participants with real development projects they're working on throughout the class. Participants will build and refine pro formas, create investor proposal packages, and map zoning parameters for their lots. The program includes practice pitching in a supportive environment, dedicated office hours with expert faculty, and a peer networking channel for between-session support. By the end, participants will have a complete pitch package and a to-do list to maintain momentum.

  • Part 4 — Film Night

    In the final event of the Initiative, your cohort will invite community members to a closing film event curated by the Better Cities Film Festival.

Are you looking to better the housing options in your community? Do you see value in supporting the development of new faith-anchored villages in your region? We would love to help!

Our team of experts has created an intensive four-part training and capacity-building initiative that prepares faith-based organizations to develop mission-based housing.