An Injustice Or Inequity

Injustice: Lack of access to affordable housing Inequity: Housing affordability crisis disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color Solution: Community land trusts (CLTs) What is a community land trust? A community land trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that owns land in trust for the benefit of the community. CLTs make land affordable for low- and moderate-income households by selling or leasing land at below-market rates. CLTs also work to ensure that housing remains affordable in perpetuity. How do CLTs work? CLTs acquire land through donation, purchase, or foreclosure. Once a CLT owns land, it can develop new housing, renovate existing housing, or sell or lease land to individuals or families. CLTs typically sell or lease land on long-term leases (99 years or more). This ensures that housing remains affordable in perpetuity, even if the value of the land increases. Benefits of CLTs CLTs have a number of benefits for communities, including:

• Affordable housing: CLTs make land affordable for low- and moderate-income households. This helps to ensure that all community members have access to safe and affordable housing.
• Community control: CLTs are governed by community members. This ensures that the community has a say in how land is used and developed.
• Long-term affordability: CLTs work to ensure that housing remains affordable in perpetuity. This helps to protect communities from gentrification and displacement.

How to implement a CLT To implement a CLT, a group of community members must first form a nonprofit organization. The organization must then develop a mission statement and bylaws. The CLT must also identify a source of funding to purchase or acquire land. Once the CLT has acquired land, it can begin developing or renovating housing. The CLT can also sell or lease land to individuals or families. The CLT will typically work with a developer to develop housing, but it can also develop housing on its own. Example of a CLT in action The Burlington Community Land Trust (BCLT) is a nonprofit organization that owns and manages over 200 acres of land in Burlington, Vermont. The BCLT was founded in 1981 to address the lack of affordable housing in Burlington. The BCLT has developed a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, duplexes, apartments, and townhouses. The BCLT also owns and manages a number of community gardens and open space areas. The BCLT's housing is affordable to households earning up to 120% of the area median income. The BCLT also offers a number of programs to help low-income households purchase homes, such as down payment assistance and loan forgiveness programs. Conclusion Community land trusts are an effective way to address the lack of affordable housing. CLTs make land affordable for low- and moderate-income households and work to ensure that housing remains affordable in perpetuity. CLTs are also governed by community members, which ensures that the community has a say in how land is used and developed. How to get involved with a CLT If you are interested in getting involved with a CLT, you can search for CLTs in your area online. You can also contact the National Community Land Trust Network for more information.  

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