The experiences of the Rev. Robert Diggs, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Petersburg, are a basis for House Bill 2153 now before the Virginia General Assembly.
Diggs, a native of Mathews County, and his church used available federal funding and other sources to construct a 47-unit senior apartment complex and a fourplex tailored for residence by handicapped people on church grounds.
HB2153, sponsored by Del. Betsy Carr (D-Richmond), would grant authority of localities to adopt a variety of strategies to facilitate the development of affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations. According to a bill summary, “The bill allows localities to request administrative support from the Department of Housing and Community Development in the preparation of a faith and housing ordinance.”
The bill has been referred to the Committee on General Laws.
According to its text, if adopted, a locality could expedite the process “for a religious organization or property tax-exempt ...