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This year, Community Home Trust is proud to present the Roger Perry Exceptional Innovation Award to the leadership and parishioners of The Chapel of the Cross, in recognition of their bold vision and catalytic investment in affordable housing in Orange County.

Through the creation of their Seed Fund, The Chapel of the Cross made a strategic, future-focused decision to support community-based initiatives that drive meaningful, long-lasting change. That vision came to life in the form of a transformative land study project, funded by the first Seed Fund grant, which is now serving as a critical roadmap for future affordable housing development across the county.

Thanks to this support, CHT, in partnership with the Orange County Affordable Housing Coalition (OCAHC), a consortium of experienced local nonprofit housing developers, has built a comprehensive inventory of viable land owned by public and nonprofit entities. This powerful tool is already informing planning efforts and unlocking new pathways to create affordable homes for families who live and work in Orange County.

“The foresight shown by The Chapel of the Cross is truly remarkable,” said Kimberly Sanchez, Executive Director of Community Home Trust. “Having access to this kind of data will empower CHT and other local affordable housing organizations to identify and pursue new opportunities to create homes for families in our community.”

The Seed Fund was part of a broader capital campaign at The Chapel of the Cross, which not only addressed the needs of the parish community, but also looked outward, asking how the church could invest in the broader community with intention and compassion.

“One of the guiding principles of the Seed Fund was to think about long-term, catalytic impact—to fund something that has the potential to make sustained, positive change over an extended time frame,” shared The Rev. Keith Esposito, who served on the Seed Fund Committee. “Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this project is how it promises to provide the roadmap for affordable housing for our county for the next decade and beyond.”

By funding the creation of the land inventory database, The Chapel of the Cross and its parishioners helped eliminate one of the most difficult barriers to affordable housing development: identifying available, appropriate land. Now, members of OCAHC can move forward more quickly, doing what they do best—building housing.

“We’re so excited about this funding and the possibilities it represents,” added Kimberly Sanchez. “And we’re grateful to The Chapel of the Cross for your partnership in this important work.”

The partnership was collaborative from the beginning. Parishioners were not only invested financially, they were actively involved in the development and beta testing of the database, bringing their curiosity, dedication, and passion for justice into the work. The CHT team was honored to visit the congregation and share more about the land trust model and the importance of affordable housing as a way to honor the fundamental dignity of all people.

At its core, the Seed Fund was about more than data, it was about planting the seeds of community transformation. The Chapel of the Cross asked, “Where can we seed change that helps all move toward dignity?” And they answered with action that will reverberate for decades to come.

The Chapel of the Cross and the other Community Impact Awards winners will be presented their awards on October 30, 2025, at the Foundation of Home Awards dinner.