The Somerville City Council recently voted in favor of supporting the “Yes in God’s Backyard” housing initiative.

By Harry Kane

City Councilors Jon Link and Wilfred Mbah advocated in support of a proposed housing initiative filed as Bill S.1430, known as “Yes in God’s Backyard” legislation, during the September 24 City Council meeting.

The Massachusetts YIGBY legislation would allow religious institutions to build multi-family housing without special local zoning permits by right on land they own.

The bill could help these faith-based organizations build much-needed affordable housing, explained Link. “Throughout the Commonwealth … it would actually create quite a boon.”

If passed by the Massachusetts Senate, unused property would be transformed by the YIGBY legislation into new real estate and be subject to taxation. This would generate new local tax revenue for the City of Somerville.

Link says he was originally skeptical the measure wouldn’t make much of a difference in Somerville, but after looking at the numbers, he sees “potentially thousands of affordable housing units” on the horizon.

“I think that it’s something that we should support,” said Link.

Mbah said that he looks forward to advancing the policy on Beacon Hill to help families find a safe and stable home amid the housing affordability crisis.

“At a time when communities are facing severe housing challenges … we need to use every tool in the toolbox to make sure that we are doing all we can to partner with our community institutions to create housing,” said Mbah.