Gospel Legend Hezekiah Walker Expands Ministry With $80M Affordable Housing Project in Brooklyn

For much of the past four decades, Bishop Hezekiah Walker has woven his voice into the soundtrack of Black life. His gospel music echoes through Sunday services, family gatherings, hospital rooms, and moments of celebration. Yet today, the Grammy-winning gospel leader says the work he is most proud of has little to do with music.

Walker is now channeling his ministry into real estate and community development. His latest project, HezHouse Apartments in Brooklyn, is a 10-story affordable housing development where residents are expected to begin moving in this spring.

The project reflects what Walker describes as a natural evolution of his calling.

“I see myself as part of the legacy, but I also see evolution,” he said.

Raised in the Black church, Walker initially attended services because his mother insisted. But when he became old enough to make his own choices, he decided to remain—and to help the church grow.

Music became the pathway that eventually led him deeper into ministry. After concerts, audience members frequently approached him for prayer. Those moments made him realize he needed stronger biblical training. He enrolled in Bible school soon after. Preaching followed, then pastoring. Eventually, Walker founded his own church, beginning with rented spaces and gradually expanding his congregation.

At one point, he purchased a piece of property with plans to eventually build a larger sanctuary. But something held him back.

“Something just said don’t sell that property,” Walker recalled. “I was in prayer, and the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘Don’t build a church.’”

Not long after, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped how churches operate.

“Every church is online,” he said. “God, thank you. Because I would have built this church, a 2,000-seater, and the church would have been on a decline.”

The direction of the property changed after the former mayor of New York City approached Walker about developing affordable housing on the site. Walker presented the idea to his congregation, expecting hesitation. Instead, the response was immediate.

“They stood up and started clapping,” he said. “They were so excited. They were like, ‘Yes, let’s do something for the community. Let’s leave a legacy.’”

The result is HezHouse Apartments, an $80 million development in East New York, Brooklyn. The 236-unit building is scheduled to welcome its first residents this month.

The achievement is notable, Walker said, because he entered the project with no background in real estate development.

“I didn’t know anything about development. I didn’t know anything about the contracts,” he admitted. “It took us six years.”

To bring the project to life, Walker assembled a team of lawyers, advisors, and community members who guided him through financing, city approvals, and negotiations. During the process, the city offered to buy the land outright. Walker declined.

“You can build the building, but the land will always be ours,” he said. “We leased the land for 99 years. That’s what legacy is all about. We leave it for those that’s behind us.”

The development also includes commercial space that has yet to be finalized. Walker said he is considering using it to create an adult daycare center for seniors whose families work during the day.

“We talk about community, but we don’t do community,” he said. “The church must evolve. We can no longer sit.”

Walker also believes the economic power of the Black church is widely underestimated.

“They definitely underestimate that,” he said. “They just look at what we get and what we obtain. And unfortunately, we have those who obtain for themselves, but we have others who obtain for the people.”

Within his own congregation, Walker points to programs focused on financial education, credit repair, and first-time homeownership support.

“We have a clean-up-your-credit ministry,” he said. “We have first-time homebuyers. We show them how to do that. We give them the principles of wealth.”

Despite his growing involvement in housing and development, music remains central to his ministry. Walker is preparing to release a new single titled “Favor” later this month.

“I like to listen and see what our culture needs, and that’s when I start looking for songs,” he said. “It’s a testament that’s on my life and on many lives.”

Walker says the idea of favor—divine grace opening unexpected doors—has shaped both his career and the resilience of Black communities.

“We would not be who we are if we did not have favor,” he said. “Even in the midst of what our people went through, favor was on our people.”

His vision now stretches beyond the United States. After visiting South Africa more than 15 years ago, Walker said the experience left a lasting impression.

“It changed my entire life,” he said. “When I got there, I felt like this is where I belong. I felt like, ‘I’m home.’”

Walker is currently developing a performing arts center in Cape Town aimed at giving young people access to music and performance training.

“There are so many talented kids over there, but they just don’t have the resources,” he said. “I want a place where they can learn music, learn dance, and showcase their talent.”

Back in the U.S., the Brooklyn project is only the beginning. Walker said he is already exploring housing developments in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

“The Lord pulled the brakes and told me to build housing,” he said.

For Walker, the mission of the church has expanded beyond the sanctuary walls.

“Everybody’s not walking in the church,” he said. “We bring the church to the people.”