Foundation Supports Plan to Build Housing for Homeless on Church Land

​Elliot Sands is the chief operating officer of the SHP Foundation of San Jose, California. In this capacity, Elliot Sands supports efforts to alleviate the city’s homelessness crisis by allowing churches to build residential facilities on unused property.

The foundation made a $20 million grant to the Cathedral of Faith church on Canoas Garden Avenue, which has petitioned the city council to convert part of its parking lot into affordable housing. The plan calls for two buildings with 237 apartments. About 78 of them would be reserved for seniors, with the remainder reserved for people who are homeless, adults who have disabilities, and young people leaving foster care. Substance abuse and mental health services would also be provided.

The proposal is part of Yes in God’s Backyard (YIGBY). The idea has caught on with other churches in the Bay area. A legislator has introduced the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act at the state level, which would remove zoning barriers to such projects. As of May 2023, the bill had passed out of committee.

Elliot Sands

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