2024 Resolutions
Resolution 2024-06: Supporting “Yes in God’s Backyard”
General Church Budget Implications: None
East Ohio Conference Implications: Yes
As United Methodists – individuals, churches, and conferences – we have considerable material and spiritual resources. Throughout scripture, we are reminded that “where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.” The way we use our resources speaks to the condition of our hearts. When we work together, we can do visionary, spirit-filled acts of mercy and justice.
With that understanding, United Methodists all over the United States are responding to the need for affordable housing through community development initiatives: by building affordable homes and tiny homes, by revitalizing neighborhoods that have experienced divestment, and by repairing the scars of redlining and other negative policies that have hurt our neighbors. Our hearts are with those who experience hunger, sickness, and who struggle to find the resources needed to not just survive, but to thrive.
In communities and neighborhoods, resources are often accumulated, protected, and even hoarded to ensure the flourishing and thriving of those who already live there. In Amos 5:11, the ancient prophet writes, “because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them.” Despite this prophetic warning, we are often guilty of having an attitude of “not in my backyard,” or NIMBY, when it comes to those who are poor, experiencing homelessness, returning from incarceration, in addiction recovery, international newcomers, and others in need of safe, affordable housing. NIMBY is a mindset born out of fear: fear of lowering housing values, fear of “other” people, an inflated fear of crime, among others. Ultimately, it is a misplaced fear of those who are also made in the image of God. God’s Spirit calls us away from fear and toward a more expansive grace.
Whereas: the United States is estimated to have a shortage of at least 4.3 million homes; and
Whereas: there is an estimated shortage of 7.3 million safe, healthy homes for families with low incomes; and
Whereas: restrictive land use policies, permitting, zoning, and cost are barriers and limit a community’s ability to provide safe, affordable, healthy homes; and
Whereas: the history and practice of redlining and urban renewal have disproportionately impacted communities of color and have discouraged investment in low-income communities; and
Whereas: it states in ¶ 162. III. The Social Community of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church:
“We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God. We therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened. We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing … ”; and
Whereas: Resolution 3262 of The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2012 “Housing in the USA” has expired yet outlines a United Methodist-perspective on housing that calls for our participation in providing healthy, safe, affordable housing solutions; and
Whereas: legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown titled “Yes, In God’s Backyard Act (YIGBY)” which will “provide technical assistance and grants for faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and local governments to increase the supply of affordable rental housing, and for other purposes”; and
Whereas: our church buildings are assets that can be utilized to enact love for our neighbors.
Therefore, be it resolved: that the East Ohio Conference encourages congregations to consider innovative and creative ways to use their buildings to provide safe, healthy, and affordable housing; and
Be it further resolved: that congregations and members of the East Ohio Conference commit to learn about affordable housing, learn the history of policies like redlining and how they impacted the communities our churches are in, and commit to resisting the practice of NIMBY; and
Be it further resolved: that the East Ohio Conference encourages and supports the “YIGBY” Act, introduced by Senator Brown, that equips and resources churches for ministry that will benefit our neighborhoods and communities; and
Be it further resolved: that we, too, say, “Yes, in God’s Backyard.”
Submitted by: East Ohio Multicultural Ministries Board