Over the next eight years, 4,000 church properties are expected to change hands. That figure might translate to big dollar signs in the eyes of some Realtors, but to others it’s an opportunity to better the communities they serve, says Cory de Villiers, managing director of Releven Realty Brokerage Foundation.

Releven says it is Canada’s first non-profit (charity-owned and operated) real estate brokerage for faith properties. Its goal is to provide consultation, evaluation, tailored solutions and community impact options for congregations that have made the difficult decision to sell their properties, de Villiers says.

As part of its service, it works with local Realtors. “Releven Realty has designed a ‘work with’ business model, not a ‘compete against’ model to scale nationwide and to partner with the best local real estate salespeople in each city.”

Releven will host an official launch event under its new brand in Cambridge, Ont., on Thursday. 

Founded in 2018 as Trinity Centres Foundation, Releven’s goal is to preserve, restore and repurpose underused faith-based properties into community hubs and affordable housing. This enables church properties to facilitate positive change, while maintaining a secure financial future, its website says.

Releven, which has roots in Quebec and Europe, is secular, with engagement across faith groups.

It has helped transform more than 70 projects over its six-year history.

‘Once a building is gone, it’s gone’

Rising costs and declining attendance have left many faith-based properties underused. One solution is to sell to the private sector, but de Villiers says that often leads to seller’s remorse.

“Once a building is gone, it’s gone. A congregation may sell to a private developer, who knocks the building down and builds a massive condominium with no net benefit to the community. The Girl Scouts, food banks and AA meetings held at the church, all free and programs that make the community better and safer, are gone, and now there are high-end condos on the site,” de Villiers says. 

Instead, Releven looks at any and all possibilities, from selling to redeveloping to creating community hubs. It provides options so a congregation can make decisions with a “lens focused on the legacy of the property going forward,” looking at social and community-positive projects. 

The brokerage’s consulting function examines leasing, redevelopment or sales options, and presents those options to a congregation, smoothing a process that can typically take years. Many agents have been involved in selling churches, which can take years of debate and hand-wringing about what to do with the building, de Villiers says.

Among the biggest challenges for any site are NIMBY (not in my backyard) individuals. However, when Releven is involved, “the amount of NIMBYism is low because everything is done in consultation. We do a lot of listening to the community and congregation,” and provide two to three options for uses and their benefits.

Releven facilitates the process and makes sure the congregation is aware of the opportunities. Ultimately, the decision is congregation-driven, he says. “Most congregations are progressive and want their space to be used.”

The brokerage also finds a local agent who knows the market. In about six years, it has built a network of 20-30 agents across the country, working with industry-standard commissions. Becoming a brokerage helps formalize the process through referral agreements.

“The local agent pays Releven the standard referral fee. It’s clean, fully (Real Estate Council of Ontario) RECO compliant,” de Villiers says. 

Releven’s proceeds go back to supporting Canadian churches.

Conversations lead to community-oriented outcomes

A benefit to agents is that a “ton of due diligence is done for every site before an agent is hired,” making it an easier and quicker process for them.

When churches contact Releven, consultants work with ex-clergy and the arts community to find options.

In some cases, the conversation is about selling, but often it goes something like this, he says: “Actually, in this community, there are no arts spaces. This property would make a good arts hub,” providing the congregation with the opportunity to create something positive.

de Villiers says a United church in Scarborough, Ont. was looking to downsize to a smaller building. Instead, it was sold to The Boys and Girls Club, and the building became a community hub that includes social services. “The congregation has a small space they can use rent-free in return for selling at a discounted price.”

A large centralized church on 1.5 acres in London, Ont. formed a joint agreement with a not-for-profit in Toronto and will build 84 units, 40 per cent of which will be affordable.

Other examples include a church in Edmonton that now also houses a mosque and a church in Kitchener, Ont. that includes five active religious organizations and multi-denominations.

Along with delivering such options as leasing, redevelopment or sales to congregations, the brokerage also provides consultancy for property readiness and maximizing community impact.

After the deal, participating agents don’t brag about getting top dollar for themselves, de Villiers says. Rather, they’re proud of doing what’s best for the community and proud of what the future of the property is.

Now that Releven is registered with RECO, the brokerage plans to ramp up to increase its network of local agents and is actively recruiting.

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Sept. 24 with correct information about the church sale in Scarborough. 

Connie Adair

Connie Adair is a contributing writer for REM.