Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh recently introduced a successful motion which urges ‘collaborating with faith-based groups for affordable housing and social impact in Vancouver.’
On October 23, Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh introduced a motion that could present significant opportunities for churches across Vancouver.
This motion – ‘Unlocking Community Potential: Collaborating with Faith-Based Groups for Affordable Housing and Social Impact in Vancouver’ – reflects a recognition by Council of the many community benefits – from housing to social spaces – that properties owned by faith-based organizations present to address the city’s affordability crisis.
It also signals Council’s interest in establishing meaningful dialogue with churches to explore ways in which redevelopment can match community need to centre transformation over transaction.
Community cornerstones
This past spring, Councillor Bligh, in a meeting with city staff and a few members of the faith-based non-profit community, shared the origins of what would become her motion.
Speaking about a church property on Vancouver’s West Side, she shared that prior to its sale, the property had been used by multiple congregations, community groups, neighbourhood programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Scout meetings – it was a community cornerstone.
After the sale, many neighbours spoke out about losing an important social gathering space. Its absence was grieved as a loss to the community.
Church buildings, like the one Councillor Bligh spoke about, play a unique role in supporting neighborhood life and well-being. Councillor Bligh initiated discussions on how to work collaboratively with churches to ensure that these spaces continue to serve their communities.
Consulting faith leaders
In advance of the October 23 Council meeting, Councillor Bligh met with Bobby MacDonald, UGM’s Manager of Community Engagement and Government Relations, and Samuel Lee, UGM’s Manager of Church Relations, to discuss how the city could support churches in navigating redevelopment opportunities to avoid the loss of much valued community space.
She invited faith leaders from different denominations to a roundtable discussion at City Hall to share their experiences, perspectives and concerns about redeveloping church properties. These leaders flagged some of the challenges and complexities navigating city processes, the challenges in understanding zoning laws and the potential of creating more affordable housing while maintaining spaces for community use.
Informed by feedback
Informed by feedback from the faith community, ‘Unlocking Community Potential’ passed with unanimous support (one abstention), underscoring a collective recognition of the role faith-based properties can play in addressing housing affordability and other social needs.
This is an important early step in a broader process of partnership between the city and local churches. It opens the door for churches and faith leaders to participate in developing a city-wide framework to remove some of the complexities around redeveloping for a social purpose – to build affordable housing, retain social, cultural and spiritual spaces, and create ‘whole’ communities; it paves the way for transformation over transaction.
There is still much to be done in a city-wide framework for transformative redevelopment of church property is developed, but thanks to the ‘Unlocking Community Potential’ motion, the path forward feels a bit less daunting.
The motion and the minutes of the October 23 City Council meeting can be found here (page 17).
CTV News ran a story on the issue October 22: ‘Vancouver city council could look to religious groups for affordable housing.”
November 7 note: It was announced today that Rebecca Bligh has been appointed as the President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
So glad to hear of this collaboration between government and places of worship. However, it’s important that government recognizes it’s important for a church to preserve its unique identity and purpose within the community – for its intrinsic value and not for its real estate.
Unlike secular community centres, churches offer a spiritual framework that nurtures the faith and values of their members. By prioritizing faith-based initiatives, a church can foster a sense of belonging and support among its congregation, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, worship and fellowship.
This spotlight on faith not only distinguishes the church from secular organizations but also enables it to fulfill its mission of serving the community through love, compassion and service rooted in spiritual principles. Ultimately, maintaining a faith-based focus helps to ensure that the church remains a source of hope, guidance and inspiration in a rapidly changing world rarely found in other organizations.