Julia Nielsen and Andy Goebel are co-pastors of the Portsmouth Union Church, which they formed a few years ago when both their separate congregations were struggling in different ways. They two have always shared a passion for helping people experiencing homelessness. And while many churches share that passion, and run food programs, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs for people who are homeless, Nielsen and Goebel are taking it to a new level. They want to build affordable housing on their church property. They were ready to break ground two years ago. But they say, the city of Portland has put up barrier after barrier — intentionally or not — and there’s still no clear end in sight. Meanwhile Portland’s housing and homelessness crisis continues, and they ask, why can’t we do this?