Relèven, a charity based in Montreal, is advocating for the use of idle land held by Canada’s religious communities to address the affordable housing crisis. At a recent virtual news conference, CEO Graham Singh announced the launch of the 'Winnipeg Declaration,' which seeks to mobilize faith leaders, politicians, and citizens to support this initiative. With approximately 30,000 acres of land available, Singh emphasized the potential for these properties to provide community services and housing. He criticized the common practice of religious organizations selling properties at a loss, often without considering their broader community impact. The declaration encourages all stakeholders, including municipal and federal governments, to adopt more deliberate actions when dealing with church properties. Relèven has already hosted stakeholder discussions in Winnipeg, focusing on local challenges such as heritage designations on older properties. The charity plans to present the declaration at upcoming conferences in Winnipeg, aiming to engage Canadians from diverse backgrounds in this important conversation about land use and community development.