“Many faith-based institutions are custodians of historically significant places that contribute to New York’s collective cultural heritage. Efforts to develop these places as multifamily housing threaten the preservation of this heritage.” ”
Adi Talwar
As New York faces a housing crisis, there is no doubt that innovative solutions are needed. However, not all solutions are created equal, and some can have unintended consequences and cause more problems than they aim to solve. The Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act is a prime example. The goal is to utilize underutilized land in faith-based facilities for affordable housing development, but upon closer inspection, the impact on historical and cultural heritage and the commercialization of faith-based facilities, etc. Unintended consequences become apparent.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is a vivid illustration of these unintended consequences. In 2008, the church entered into a partnership with AvalonBay Communities that led to the creation of Avalon Morningside Park, a 20-story, 295-unit rental apartment complex on the church’s property at West 110th Street and Morningside Drive. This was followed in 2015 by the development of his 15-story, 430-unit rental apartment complex, The Enclave at the Cathedral, on the church grounds at 400 West 113th St. Despite community opposition, these developments were seen as a deviation from church policy. Regarding the church’s spiritual and communal role, the church noted financial constraints and infrastructure repairs as the driving forces behind the decision.
These businesses not only reshaped the skyline, but also rebuilt the church’s vault, generating approximately $5.5 million in annual revenue from leases. $2.5 million of that came from the Avalon Bay project and $3 million from the Brodsky project. However, despite these lucrative deals, the cathedral remains unfinished to this day, after the cathedral enclave was sold to the Brodsky organization in 2019 for a staggering $57 million. But it is missing the spire, south transept and fully realized tower.
This juxtaposition of economic gain and historical and cultural loss raises the question at what point does the pursuit of fiscal solvency begin to erode the very soul of communities and cultural lands? Many faith-based institutions are stewards of historically significant sites that contribute to New York’s collective cultural heritage. The push to develop these sites into multifamily housing, encouraged by the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act, poses a threat to the preservation of this heritage. A threat that could irreversibly remove some of the places that have existed for centuries and are of great importance to the community.
Additionally, by encouraging churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues to participate in the housing market, the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act fundamentally undermines the core purpose and mission of these faith-based institutions. We risk transformation. This law has the potential to redefine these institutions, which have traditionally focused on spirituality and community service, into commercial enterprises whose primary focus is to generate profits.
Such a shift not only jeopardizes the integrity of faith groups, but also signals a reorientation of faith groups’ focus from community service to real estate management. This change can cause tensions, especially if it is assumed that their spiritual or communal objectives can supplement or absolve them of property management responsibilities.
Therefore, while faith-based affordable housing laws are created to address urgent needs, it is important to consider the unintended consequences that may occur. Preserving faith-based organizations and cultural heritage is critical as we work to address the housing shortage.
Our approach must therefore not only focus on the immediate need for affordable housing, but also consider potential long-term impacts on communities and institutions. Therefore, we must find a balance between development and subsequent preservation for future generations.
Congressman Daniel O’Donnell is the chair of the Congressional Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development and represents the 69th District, an area that includes Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights, and the Upper West Side.
