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The city government for Charlotte, North Carolina, has selected 12 faith-based organizations to participate in a new affordable housing development initiative.

The Charlotte Observer reports the city’s Faith in Housing initiative will provide the religious groups with training, assistance, and funding to construct affordable housing on their land. The city is partnering in this endeavor with the nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners, which previously worked with 140 religious institutions across the country to build affordable housing. The program is being funded with $430,321 from the city.

The inaugural 12-member partners in this initiative are Faith Memorial CDC; First United Methodist Church; Kingdom Harvest Bibleway Church; Kinship Plot Inc; New Bethel Church of God in Christ; New Hope Baptist Church; Northside Church of Christ; St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church; St. Mark’s United Methodist Church; Steele Creek Church of Charlotte; The Church of the Power of God/La Iglesia del Poder De Dios; and The Park Ministries Inc.

The participating religious organizations have a combined total of more than 88 acres of unused property. The city estimated there is a need for over 32,200 apartments to accommodate residents earning 80% of the area median income or higher.

“Many of our faith communities want to use their land to meet housing needs, but they need the right tools and support to move forward,” said Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield. “This cohort gives them practical guidance and resources to take the next step, turning good ideas into real homes for Charlotte families.”