JALSA in The Berkshire Eagle on YIGBY Housing Legislation

Full article at this link.

Excerpt from Yes in God’s Backyard bill would open church land for housing development

A bill before the state Legislature proposes to open up hundreds of acres of religious land in Massachusetts for the development of housing.

If passed, the so-called Yes in God’s Backyard bill - a nod to the “not in my backyard” attitude - would remove barriers to building housing on land owned by churches, synagogues and mosques. Today, it takes at least a special permit to build on that land, if it’s allowed at all.

For faith-based congregations looking to support their communities by providing affordable housing, the legislation is a “natural fit,” said state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, a co-sponsor of the bill in the House (H.2347). […]

The Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action, a Boston-based nonprofit, is actively backing the Yes in God’s Backyard bill.

“For the faith-based community, being able to help provide the housing that we need in the commonwealth is not only an economic question, but a moral question,” said Cindy Rowe, president and CEO.

Rowe said part of her faith’s tradition is to help people achieve their basic needs, including housing.