New York City churches are having a housing reckoning. As the housing market gets more expensive and difficult to navigate, many religious institutions have taken a page out of the YIGBY movement’s book — that’s “Yes In God’s Backyard.”
YIGBY aims to transform “underutilized faith community land” into affordable housing and homelessness solutions across the country.
And one iconic N.Y.C. church is getting in on the action.
Trinity Church is an Episcopal parish in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District founded in 1697. Situated close to the One World Trade Center, the church is a staple for religious and civic life in New York, hosting musical performances and leading large philanthropic projects alongside its standard worship services.
Trinity Church’s St. Paul’s Chapel sits in front of the World Trade Center. Courtesy of Trinity Church
The site itself is also of historical significance, as the church provided memorial support in the wake of September 11, 2001, and is also where Alexander Hamilton is buried. Its towering 281-foot steeple is a staple of the area skyline.
And now, it represents a new beginning for many New Yorkers.
As of January 2026, Trinity Church has come to an agreement with Settlement Housing Fund, a leading nonprofit affordable housing developer in the city, announcing plans to develop a new 120-unit affordable housing community on land owned by Trinity Church.
The new apartments will be located at 50-58 Cliff Street in Lower Manhattan, adjacent to St. Margaret’s House, a 249-unit affordable senior housing residence that the church founded in 1981.
Approximately 120 permanently affordable apartments will be available to low-income households, with units set aside for formerly homeless individuals and families, a press release from Trinity Church stated.
Trinity Church in front of the One World Trade Center. Colin Winterbottom/Courtesy of Trinity Church
While the new apartments won’t be located in the Trinity Church chapel, they’ll be less than a mile away and very much part of the church community. According to the press release from the church, Trinity will maintain ownership of the land through a 99-year lease.
“The building will feature high-quality, sustainable design and community-oriented amenities such as outdoor use spaces, a food-focused learning space, and flexible spaces for events, workshops, and community programming,” the release explained.
Offering community support isn’t new to Trinity. In addition to St. Margaret’s House, which provides housing for elderly and disabled New Yorkers, the church’s outreach includes food assistance seven days a week, support for asylum seekers, youth programs, free music and educational events, and support for ministries in countries all over the world.
Its commitment to serving neighbors is in the church’s DNA.
“Over forty years ago, Trinity Church demonstrated its commitment to housing stability by developing St. Margaret’s House, which continues to provide affordable homes for seniors in Lower Manhattan,” Thehbia Hiwot, managing director of housing and homelessness at Trinity Church, said in a statement.
“Today, we are building on that legacy through our Housing and Homelessness grant-making and our partnership with Settlement Housing Fund on this new development. Settlement Housing Fund is a trusted affordable housing developer and social service provider, and together we reflect our deep belief that every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.”
A rendering of the new housing development owned by Trinity Church. Courtesy of Dattner Architects
Settlement Housing Fund currently oversees 3,149 affordable units, with another 2,250 in development. The organization was selected by Trinity Church as the developer for the new site through “a competitive proposal process that prioritized 100% affordable housing.”
It’s unclear when the apartments will be move-in ready, or what the rent prices will be, but the January announcement said local, women-owned architecture firm Dattner would be taking on the project.
“Affordable housing opportunities in Lower Manhattan are rare, and we are proud to bring new, deeply affordable homes to this thriving neighborhood,” Judy Herbstman, president of Settlement Housing Fund, said in a statement.
“This project reflects our mission to create inclusive, sustainable communities where New Yorkers of all backgrounds can achieve housing stability and thrive.”
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Featured Image: Colin Winterbottom/Courtesy of Trinity Church
