Redevelopment Considerations For Faith Groups

Many faith groups in Canada are faced with a similar issue: dwindling congregations and financial resources coupled with aging real estate assets which are often subject to designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. Those tasked with the stewardship of places of worship must be increasingly resourceful in finding ways and dollars to maintain aging places of worship due to increasing costs of upkeep and diminishing donations and fundraising opportunities.

In the past many smaller faith groups have addressed the issue by simply selling their property, often for redevelopment or conversion to bespoke residential condominium developers, and applying the proceeds to the other charitable missions of that particular faith group. More recently, however, faith groups are partnering with developers to renovate and upgrade their place of worship and related improvements as part of a larger site redevelopment. Partnerships with developers can take many forms depending on the