Community Development
Home Community Development Planning Bureau Initiatives & Programs Affordable Housing on Faith-Based Land
Affordable Housing on Faith-Based Land banner


As part of the Sixth Cycle Housing Element, Long Beach is committed to increasing affordable housing production across the city. One tactic is producing affordable housing on faith-based land. Several state and local policies make this possible.

SB 4, the Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act, allows by-right affordable housing on land owned by independent higher education or religious institutions. Locally, the City's Enhanced Density Bonus Ordinance promotes multi-family housing development by offering incentives, waivers, and concessions under certain conditions.

What Can Be Built on Faith-Based Land?

Every parcel in the city is assigned a zoning and a land use which together determine what can be built on the property.

  • The land use describes the general intended uses (e.g., commercial, park land) and the number of units or size of buildings allowed on the parcel.
  • The zoning specifies the types of buildings (e.g., single-family homes, townhomes, apartments), permitting procedures, other specific uses and development standards (e.g., maximum building height, open space).  

Typically, faith-based organizations or other institutions in Long Beach are on land that allows residential uses. Depending on the land use and zoning of the parcel, various types of housing can be built, including:

  • Single-family Homes  
  • Multi-family Homes  
  • Religious Housing (housing for staff or members of your organization, such as a convent, monastery or groundskeeper housing)
  • Adaptive Reuse of existing structures into any of the above housing units  
  • Other types of housing for special needs populations

Potential Funding Sources

Affordable housing developments are funded by combining different federal, state and local funds. More information on funding through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and the Tax-Exempt Housing Revenue Bond Program is available in the Affordable Rental Housing Funding overview document.

Learn more about funding institutions throughout the country that assist with the construction of affordable housing and housing on faith-based land.

United Church of Christ Church Building & Loan Fund (CB&LF)

The CB&LF provides loans to churches and church organizations nationwide to support site acquisition, construction, renovations, refinancing, energy and environmental upgrades.

Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative

Enterprise supports affordable housing by providing funding, programs and technical assistance, including through the Enterprise Faith-based Development Initiatives (FBDI). The initiative helps faith-based institutions transform underutilized land into affordable housing.

Mission Community Housing (MCH)

MCH supports faith-based affordable housing initiatives in California and Hawaii through housing programs and real estate development.

Logos Faith Development

Logos Faith Development is a Los Angeles-based developer that partners with churches and nonprofit organizations to leverage faith-based land and resources for affordable housing development in Southern California.

Yes in God's Back Yard (YIGBY)

YIGBY is a San Diego-based organization that supports faith-based institutions in leveraging their land for development by connecting them with capital, development partners and other resources.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Bay Area

LISC Bay Area supports faith-based and community-based organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area with affordable housing development through technical assistance, training, and tailored grant resources.

Permit Pathways

Entitlements and Administrative Reviews 

Certain housing projects may require a greater level of review. In these cases, a planning application for an entitlement or administrative review is required.    

Plan Check, Permitting and Construction   

Once any necessary planning applications have been submitted, the project is ready to begin the permitting process. This is initiated by plan review which ensures that the construction or conversion meets both state (California Building Standards Code) and local (Long Beach Municipal Code) standards.   

Affordable Housing Covenant   

Housing projects with voluntary or compulsory affordable units are required to attain an affordable housing covenant. A covenant is a legal agreement between the city and owner which restricts rent prices for a set number of years. This process is initiated by the Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau.   

What Happens After It is Built?

Once an affordable housing development is built, management is typically handled by the developer, a property management company or the faith-based organization.

Typical Steps After Construction
Occupancy and Lease-Up Marketing units to target income groups, ensuring compliance with affordability ratios and rent limits.
Hiring Management Staff Property managers, maintenance staff and compliance officers handle day-to-day operations.
Compliance Monitoring Regular audits to ensure rent levels, occupancy rates and affordability requirements are met.
Maintenance and Repairs Ongoing upkeep, including structural, mechanical and tenant service issues.
Financial Reporting Tracking income, expenses and subsidy usage to meet funding requirements.
Risk Management Monitor for vacancies, rent increases and changes in funding priorities that could affect affordability.
Saving for Capital Improvements Budget for repairs, upgrades and compliance with safety or accessibility standards. 



Contact Us

Subscribe to receive updates and information on upcoming events at LBCD LinkLB.

  • Login or create a LinkLB account.
  • Under "Select Notifications" scroll down to "Community Development"
  • Click "Initiatives & Programs"

For more information or questions, email CDHousingPolicy@longbeach.gov.

411 West Ocean Blvd., 3rd Floor

Long Beach, CA 90802

562.570.LBCD (5223)

Keep up With LBCD