Houses of Faith & Community Partnerships
The First Baptist Church of Austin (a congregation in B&M’s Sustainable Solutions for Sacred Sites program) is looking for community partners to help them reimagine their prime downtown real estate. Church leaders are looking to partner with other houses of worship and non-profits to bring community services, such as child care and creative space, to the property. The church wants to stay involved and provide needed services downtown rather than relocating to areas where it would be easier to attract and retain worshippers. Church leaders say they are open to partnering with groups of different religions and denominations.
Interfaith Dialogues
Muslim and Jewish faith leaders from around New York City recently gathered at CUNY's Lehman College to discuss shared values and promote peace. The event, organized by the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council of New York, was an opportunity for the leaders to learn from each other and explore ways to build bridges between their communities. The discussions focused on social justice, education, and interfaith dialogue. The leaders also shared their personal stories and experiences, helping to build understanding and respect between the two groups.
The Rabbi Marshall Meyer Retreats for Social Justice will be hosting its 41st retreat on December 6, 2023. The Rabbi Marshall Meyer Retreats is a flagship program of the Interfaith Center of New York. This year's theme is “Faith in Action for Food Justice,” exploring the relationship between food security and other social issues, such as worker’s rights and migration.
Affordable Housing in New York City
According to a new analysis, New York City has built only 1,700 affordable housing units in the past year, far short of its goal of building 800,000 units in the next decade. Advocates are calling on the city to do more to address the lack of affordable housing. They suggest the city make more affordable housing units, provide subsidies to help people afford rent, and crack down on illegal landlords. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said that affordable housing is a top priority for his administration. He has pledged to build 400,000 affordable housing units over the next decade.
About 50 faith leaders and 100 advocates were set to demonstrate at Governor Hochul’s office on Wednesday, November 1st, and call for Hochul to take more aggressive action on housing, said the Rev. David Brawley of the St. Paul Community Baptist Church. The rally was centered on demands for an entirely affordable housing complex at the campus of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens Village.
In the heart of New York City's East Village, a former synagogue transformed into a live-work space for artists in 1982 is now up for sale. The building has a rich history, dating back to the late 19th century. It's known for its unique architecture, including tin ceilings, stained glass windows, and a spacious basement studio.
Preservation and Development
The debate continues on the fate of West Park Presbyterian Church, a 19th-century church on West 86th Street. The historic church has applied for a hardship permit to demolish the building and sell the property for development. On October 31st, the Landmarks Preservation Commission heard about structural and financial scenarios from independent experts. It proposed several alternatives to demolition, such as converting the church into a daycare center or a museum. Estimates for repairing the church have been debated, ranging from tens of millions to less than $2 million.
Only 19 hardship applications have been submitted to the LPC since its creation in 1965. The commission has approved 13 of those applications.
If you enjoy these weekly updates, please consider becoming a Bricks and Mortals member or making a contribution so we can continue to provide this and resources like it.
Sign up to join our mailing list and get these every week!
