As Australia’s housing crisis continues, YIFBY (Yes In Faith’s Back Yard) has emerged as a bold, values-driven initiative – transforming underutilised faith-owned land into affordable housing through strategic planning reform. 

Adapted from the U.S.-based YIGBY model, YIFBY is the first of its kind in Australia. It reimagines land held by religious institutions – often well-located and embedded in established communities – as a vehicle for social good. These sites, long underutilised, now offer a powerful opportunity to deliver housing where it’s needed most. 

Led by a cross-sector working group comprising Therefor Group, Q Shelter, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, YIFBY has driven coordinated advocacy that culminated in a landmark reform.  

In December 2024, the Queensland Government amended the Planning Regulation to support community housing on church and charity-owned land – an unprecedented shift in the national housing landscape. 

This reform is more than policy – it’s action. The first tangible outcome is already underway: the Catholic Archdiocese’s State Facilitated Development at Wakerley will deliver 44 affordable townhouses, demonstrating that the planning process works and that change is possible. 

YIFBY contributes directly to the goals of the National Housing Accord and other federal initiatives, offering a scalable, innovative model for increasing housing supply. It also showcases the power of collaboration – bringing together peak bodies, government, and industry to deliver infrastructure that reflects both purpose and practicality. 

At its core, YIFBY is a story of transformation – of land, policy, and lives. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when social purpose meets smart planning, and when faith-based values are harnessed to build stronger, more inclusive communities.