The Miami City Commission has rejected a proposal that would have allowed affordable housing to be developed on land currently zoned for religious institutions and other civic uses. The vote took place on Thursday, with Commissioner Ralph Rosado as the only supporter of the measure.
Commissioner Rosado described the decision as a “wasted opportunity in what is arguably the least affordable city in the United States of America,” according to remarks reported by the Miami Herald. Rosado introduced the citywide zoning change, which would have affected more than 660 properties covering about 1,800 acres across Miami.
The proposal was influenced by a Florida Senate bill passed in 2025, which permits local governments to allow housing development on religious institution-owned land if at least 10 percent of units are affordable. Rosado’s version would have required half of all new units built under this policy to meet affordability standards.
This initiative was part of a broader movement known as “Yes in God’s backyard” (YIGBY), which aims to address resistance to new development—often referred to as NIMBYism—by utilizing church-owned property for housing projects. Across the country, religious organizations own millions of acres, much of it underused due to declining membership and attendance. Maintaining these properties can also be financially challenging; some religious orders have sold real estate assets such as convents to support their communities.
In recent years, real estate investors have purchased historic properties from religious groups. For example, Alex and Sue Glasscock acquired a 140-acre estate from the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Tuxedo Park, New York, converting it into a wellness retreat.
South Florida has seen similar trends. Developers Tal Levinson and Eric Malinasky plan to build a 500-unit residential complex on former church land in Fort Lauderdale. In West Palm Beach, billionaire Steve Ross is developing luxury condominiums on property previously owned by Temple Israel.
During Thursday’s meeting, Miami commissioners expressed concerns that approving the YIGBY proposal could lead to widespread redevelopment of historic church sites. Commissioner Christine King stated: “I’m not typically this firm on ‘no,’ but this is a ‘no’ in every respect for me. It is a solid, firm, I’m not crossing the line, I am not bending, modifying. These churches, historic churches — all they have is their land.”
King’s district contains the largest number of parcels zoned for religious or civic use—247 out of more than 660 identified across Miami. She warned that adopting the proposed changes could be “disastrous for our churches, particularly our historic churches,” adding: “They do not have the expertise to negotiate deals such as this.”
