Why a Community Land Trust?

A group of young people, mostly men, standing inside a partially constructed wooden building. They are smiling, some making hand hearts, and are dressed casually. Construction tools and wires are visible on the floor.
A group of young people, mostly men, standing inside a partially constructed wooden building. They are smiling, some making hand hearts, and are dressed casually. Construction tools and wires are visible on the floor.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations formed to retain land ownership to ensure future housing affordability. Homebuyers purchase a ROOTS home and lease the land through a renewable 99-year ground lease. Home prices are kept affordable in part through volunteer labor, which helps reduce construction costs.

A group of people listening to a man in a navy shirt and beige shorts, who is gesturing with his hand, outdoors in front of a newly built wooden deck attached to a house. The group is sitting and standing around the deck, engaged in the presentation.
A group of people listening to a man in a navy shirt and beige shorts, who is gesturing with his hand, outdoors in front of a newly built wooden deck attached to a house. The group is sitting and standing around the deck, engaged in the presentation.

Homeowners enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of homeownership. They benefit from affordable monthly housing costs while building equity over time. Finally, they may pass their home to financially qualified heirs or transfer their accumulated equity through resale.

Infographic explaining how a community land trust works, with steps including community land trusts funding sources, a resident buying a home, building equity while staying in the house, and the resident being able to buy a home at an affordable price using the equity gained.
Infographic explaining how a community land trust works, with steps including community land trusts funding sources, a resident buying a home, building equity while staying in the house, and the resident being able to buy a home at an affordable price using the equity gained.