A Home for All: Living the Gospel Through Housing

In this time of challenge and opportunity, our Diocese stands at the threshold of living more fully into the Gospel, our Catholic social tradition, and the invitation of our Holy Father. The call to support affordable housing is not separate from our mission—it is our mission in action.

Why This Matters
In 2015, Pope Francis wrote Laudato Si’ – On Care for our Common Home, calling us (not only Catholics but all people of good will) to protect the planet and care for our brothers and sisters. He says our care for creation must include care for one another, especially the vulnerable.

In his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi Te, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that serving the poor is not a one-sided act of generosity but a mutual encounter where Christ is revealed. He calls the Church to see the poor not as recipients of charity but as bearers of grace—teachers of the Gospel who renew the whole community. When we reach out to those in need, then we meet Christ himself.

Here on Vancouver Island, and indeed across Canada, we face a housing crisis: many people cannot afford decent, safe, and suitable housing. When housing is insecure, all else—work, health, family life, dignity—suffers.

What We Mean By “Affordable Housing”

• Who are we housing? Seniors on fixed incomes, young working people, and families.
• What is affordable housing? A mix of market rent, rent-geared-to-income, deeply discounted or subsidized rent.
• What counts as affordable? Housing is considered affordable if residents spend 30% or less of their income on rent.

How the Diocese Can Help
At the Clergy & Leadership General Meeting in October 2024, we shared ideas about reusing, repurposing, and redeveloping Church land. This is not just about building housing—it’s about building stronger communities, supporting parish life, and sustaining our mission.

Here’s how it could work:

1. Land partner: The Diocese of Victoria (parishes and schools own the land).
2. Non-profit housing operator: For example, St. Vincent de Paul or Alberni Low Energy Housing Society.
3. Funding partner: BC Builds, along with other government funding programs.

When Church land is leased rather than sold, building costs drop significantly. A successful example is Maitland Village in Port Alberni, built on church land through a three-way partnership. More projects like this could provide housing and resources for the parish or school, such as lease payments or shared space—all without the parish having to do the heavy lifting.

Living Out Our Faith
Laudato Si’ reminds us that the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor form one cry. Caring for those without homes and providing health care for the frail is not just social work—it is living our faith.

Pope Leo XIV, in Dilexi Te, emphasizes that faith is inseparable from love for the poor: “Contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history.”

By providing affordable housing, we answer that call. We turn faith into action.

What You Can Do

• Pray: Ask the Spirit to guide this initiative and open hearts.
• Think creatively: Could your parish or school land support housing or healthcare projects? How might underused space serve the wider community?
• Say YES: Parishes and schools only need to agree. Partners will handle the planning, construction, and funding.
• Engage leadership: Bring the idea to pastoral councils, finance committees, and school boards.

A Vision of Hope
Imagine a parish community where:

• Seniors live in safe, affordable homes.
• Young families have a place to call their own.
• Community life flourishes around faith, friendship, and service.

This is possible. Policies are in place. Funding is available. The only missing piece is our yes. By saying yes, we answer the Gospel call to serve, care for the poor, and strengthen our communities.

Let us build affordable housing. Let us expand Catholic health care. Let us build hope—together.

Learn more about the Diocese of Victoria and affordable housing opportunities: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/affordable-housing