Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is addressing America’s critical affordable housing shortage by increasing and preserving affordable housing stock. Providing affordable housing is one of CCUSA’s strategic priorities and a key support area for its membership. This document offers project profiles and best practices from member agencies that have successfully converted surplus church property into quality affordable housing projects for low-income households.

Converting surplus church property can occur with little or no ‘out of pocket’ funds and can result in valuable and highly appraised affordable housing projects. These projects often add value to parishes and the diocese and provide quality housing to low-income households. There are many types of surplus church properties, including but not limited to: closed churches, schools, vacant convents, donated land, and bequeathed structures.