Community Land Trust
A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a nonprofit that separates land ownership (held permanently by the CLT) from home ownership (held by residents via a long-term ground lease). Through a 99-year ground lease and a resale formula, CLTs preserve affordability across generations while still allowing modest homeowner equity. Governed by a distinctive tripartite board (1/3 residents, 1/3 community, 1/3 public interest), CLTs are the strongest tool in the U.S. for combating displacement and locking in permanently affordable housing. Starting one takes 2-3 years to first project and requires significant subsidy — typically $100K-$300K per home.
Impact Potential
- Preserves permanent affordability across generations
- Combats displacement and gentrification
- Builds modest intergenerational wealth for low-income homeowners
- Creates community-controlled land stewardship
- Leverages public subsidy for lasting impact
Common Challenges
- Affordability gap of $100K-$300K per home requires significant subsidy
- Tripartite board is structural, not cosmetic — resident transition is complex
- Stewardship is a permanent function requiring dedicated staff capacity
- First project can take 2-3 years from incorporation
- Building city/county partnerships takes political patience
What You'll Need
- Steering committee of 8-15 committed community leaders
- Fiscal sponsor or anchor institution support
- 501(c)(3) status with tripartite board structure
- Ground lease and resale formula (Grounded Solutions Network template)
- Subsidy stack (LIHTC, HOME, CDBG, state/local funds, foundations)
Resources
- Grounded Solutions Network (groundedsolutions.org) — national TA hub
- John Emmeus Davis, "The Community Land Trust Reader" (Lincoln Institute)
- Champlain Housing Trust (VT) — largest CLT model
- Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (MA) — community-organizing CLT
- HUD CHDO designation and HOME program
See who's already doing this
Real organizations proving this model works across Canada.
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Organizations already doing this
Claims are non-exclusive — multiple people can build the same venture in the same area.