Detroit Faith-Based Housing and the City of Detroit are committed to creating sustainable, flexible, and innovative housing solutions. As Mary Waters puts it, “What we’re doing in Detroit is transforming the way people live by offering modular, EVOLV smart homes that seamlessly fit into any community—whether it’s our bustling city, our serene countryside, or our growing neighborhoods.” Detroit Faith-Based Housing, alongside the “Yes In God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) mission, is unlocking opportunities for homeless housing in Detroit’s churches and through landowners.

As the housing crisis deepens in Detroit, faith-based development is gaining momentum across the country. But how do YIGBY zoning laws work? Where are they being introduced or implemented, and what could this mean for churches and communities?

While the church’s plan for the next phase of its spiritual life began years ago, the project can now benefit from an expedited development process, thanks to California’s “Yes In God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) law, also known as SB 4. This law, which went into effect last year, grants nonprofit colleges and religious institutions—like the Neighborhood Congregational Church—the ability to build 100% affordable housing projects on their properties “by right.” This means that projects bypass any special zoning requirements, as long as they meet state-mandated criteria.

Is “Yes In God’s Backyard” the solution to Detroit’s housing crisis? The Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act streamlines the approval process for new housing projects on church-owned land, preventing zoning or environmental objections from blocking housing. Similar to projects in Hillside, Atlanta, and San Diego, this first-of-its-kind YIGBY law took effect in January.

State Senator Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco who led the statewide YIGBY initiative, has stated that while California doesn’t yet have full data on how the law is being utilized, he is actively meeting with Dr. Snead and his teams from California and Georgia to discuss the mission of AGS and Urban Mixed-Income Strategies for building inclusive communities.

AGS has partnered with One Treasure Island and Case Western Reserve University’s National Initiative on Mixed-Income Communities (NIMC) to provide consultation on building inclusive and equitable communities in the U.S. NIMC is the only research center in the country focused exclusively on mixed-income communities. The center’s current work aims to develop retail and community facility strategies that foster inclusion and belonging for individuals of all backgrounds and income levels. This initiative is key to ensuring that everyone has a place to call home.

Property Management

Mary Waters’ Property Management team will oversee development projects and manage various properties, including small and family-owned buildings. The team will work closely with Ms. Waters and local Detroit teams. Led by principals who are deeply involved in every aspect of a project, this boutique team is known for being nimbler and more adaptable compared to larger firms, where responsibilities are divided into narrow silos.

The Detroit team has extensive knowledge across multiple areas, with each member offering a broad skill set—from construction, development, and smart homes to tenant improvements and asset management advisory services. The team’s ability to respond quickly to any issue, coupled with their local expertise in Detroit, ensures swift and effective action. This group is focused on making the right decisions—rather than the easiest ones—to preserve assets and create lasting value. The team is known for its stability and exceptional service, providing reliable results for clients of all sizes.