Faith Leaders in Tacoma Break Ground on Affordable Housing Projects Through Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative (Tacoma, Washington)

Bishop Prentis Johnson surveys the rooftops of Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood from the summit, envisioning renewal and hope. For over six decades, he has been a part of Greater Christ Temple Church, witnessing the community’s journey through change. Recently, the church broke ground on 63 affordable apartments — Hope Heights — designed for seniors, many of whom have been displaced by rising costs in the area.

Across town, Pastor Will Mitchell of Bethlehem Baptist Church oversees a homeless shelter for families. The church is set to begin construction on a project that will create 40 homes for families, some of whom will transition directly from the shelter. Both leaders are participating in the Enterprise Faith-Based Development InitiativeSM, which equips faith-based organizations with training, tools, and technical assistance to develop affordable housing on church property.

Faith leaders like Johnson and Mitchell are leveraging their communities’ resources to address housing insecurity. Religious institutions in the U.S. own an estimated 2.6 million acres of land, much of which remains underutilized. This initiative allows churches to transform vacant or underused land into housing solutions that serve their neighbors.

Since 2006, the Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative has supported the transformation of land into affordable housing and community amenities. In 2021, the initiative expanded to the Puget Sound region, including Tacoma, with support from the Wells Fargo Foundation. This expansion has enabled faith leaders to take on real estate development for the first time, bringing new opportunities to their communities.

Johnson recalls walking seven miles to church as a child, a journey that shaped his connection to the community. Today, he is committed to giving back, ensuring that housing developments serve those in need. The Hilltop neighborhood, historically a center for Black culture and property ownership, now faces gentrification and rising home prices as new infrastructure attracts renters from Seattle.

The neighborhood’s history reflects broader challenges of racial redlining and economic shifts. As Tacoma continues to grow, faith leaders are working to ensure that development benefits all residents, particularly those who have been marginalized. Their efforts align with a vision of justice, mercy, and humble service, echoing Micah 6:8.

Source: Read the original report