CLEVELAND, OH (July 7, 2025) – Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise) announced the expansion of its national Faith-Based Development Initiative (FBDI) to Cuyahoga County, where it will work with faith-based organizations interested in transforming underutilized land into affordable housing and community amenities. The expansion, which has a goal of supporting the creation of at least 100 affordable homes, is supported by $350,000 in funding from KeyBank. Registration for the program, which aims to recruit at least 20 houses of worship, is open now through July 25, 2025.
Faith-based organizations across the country own tens of thousands of acres of vacant or underutilized land, and in Cuyahoga County, there are 2000 acres of vacant land owned by land banks within ¼ mile of a house of worship. The amount of land available for affordable housing or mixed-use development represent a significant opportunity for houses of worship to help address the affordability crisis—particularly in Cleveland neighborhoods Glenville, Union-Miles, and Hough as well as suburbs like East Cleveland and Maple Heights. From August to December 2025, FBDI will train houses of worship in real estate development—from visioning to operations—and upon completion of the development curriculum, they will have the opportunity to apply for competitive $75,000 predevelopment grants.
“Houses of worship have long been pillars of strength and service in their neighborhoods. Through the Faith-Based Development Initiative, we’re helping them harness their vision and their land to create more affordable homes across Cuyahoga County,” said Ayonna Blue Donald, Ohio Market Leader, Enterprise Community Partners. “With the support of KeyBank, we’re excited to walk alongside faith leaders to reimagine what’s possible for their communities, so more families have access to safe, stable housing and the opportunity to thrive.”
“We congratulate Enterprise Community Partners on the expansion of their faith-based development initiative which will bring much needed affordable housing to Cuyahoga County,” said Kelly Lamirand, KeyBank Cleveland Market President. “As we celebrate our bicentennial – 200 years of service to the communities we are part of - KeyBank is proud to support this effort that will transform lives and revitalize neighborhoods in our hometown.”
“We are excited to partner with Enterprise as they move to this next phase of their faith-based development initiative,” said Mattie Jones-Hollowell, Corporate Responsibility Officer for KeyBank in Cleveland. “This will have a significant impact on our neighborhoods, making them stronger and more vibrant.”
Since its inception in 2006, Enterprise Faith-Based Development InitiativeSM has helped create or preserve more than 1,900 affordable homes, with 9,000 more homes in the projected development pipeline. Enterprise is working with over 140 houses of worship across several jurisdictions, including Washington D.C., Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, New York City, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Enterprise also announced its first collaboration with a national denomination in 2023, working with the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Community Economical Development Corporation to train 200 COGIC congregations and create an estimated 18,000 new affordable homes.
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About Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $80.9 billion and created 1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands – all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging. Join us at enterprisecommunity.org.