Connecticut's YIGBY Bill Aims to Address Housing Shortage Using Religious Land
A new initiative, known as YIGBY ('Yes in God's Backyard'), is gaining traction among church leaders in Connecticut to address the state's affordable housing crisis. House Bill 5396 proposes using underutilized land owned by religious organizations for affordable housing projects. This measure aims to streamline the approval process for such developments, allowing qualifying projects to undergo 'summary review' without bypassing local governance. Connecticut faces a tight housing market, with median listing prices reaching $499,700, leaving many residents priced out. The bill seeks to leverage the 2.6 million acres of land owned by religious groups across the U.S., potentially supporting up to 800,000 new homes. 
