Community Land Trusts (CLTs)

The Schumacher Center for a New Economics, formerly the EF Schumacher Society, is dedicated to achieving the goals of economic and ecological sustainability through the principle of decentralism. In support of these aims, the Schumacher Society offers lectures, educational programs, and extensive research resources. Read more about Schumacher Center for a New Economics...

ICE's revolving loan fund provides financing to community land trusts, limited equity cooperatives and nonprofit organizations creating housing that is permanently affordable to people with lower incomes. Since 1979 ICE has loaned $44 million, representing more than 445 loans to community organizations in 30 states, facilitating the development of more than 4,500 housing units. Read more about Institute for Community Economics...

With the purchase of its first home in 2002, Homestead Community Land Trust (HCLT) recently completed the acquisition of its fiftieth permanently affordable house. Planning to surpass 100 homes during 2010, HCLT estimates that each home will provide affordable housing for ten families over the course of its useful life.

Originally associated with the activist group Movement for a New Society, Life Center Association (LCA) transformed from communal housing to a community land trust in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s as it acquired more properties. Having shifted its focus from only serving activists to low-income individuals in the area, LCA now owns eight housing cooperatives with about 50 residents.

Founded in 1997, the main thrust of the organization has been its 27 acre Arbolera de Vida (Living Orchard) project, which involves the conversion of an old lumber yard into a mixed community that will include affordable housing, community facilities, and commercial sites. Phase I of the project has been completed and provides affordable homes for 23 families. The final project will include 22 apartments for senior citizens and an additional 65 single-family homes. Read more about Sawmill Community Land Trust...

Established through the joint efforts of Urban Strategies Council and community partners, the Oakland Community Land Trust (CLT) was the product of two years of planning and building community support in response to the mounting foreclosure crisis. Granted an award of more than $5 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding from the city, the Oakland CLT acquired its first of 130 properties in 2010, officially launching the NSP Homeownership Project. Read more about Oakland Community Land Trust...

Instead of developing its own affordable housing, Kulshan Community Land Trust founded in 1999 purchases property, in collaboration with the family, that meets specific requirements and is located within Whatcom County, Washington. This process allows the house to be taken off the speculative market and added to the many properties already within the land trust. To date, KCLT has provided affordable housing to more than 60 families. Read more about Kulshan Community Land Trust...

The Genesee County Land Bank has become a national leader in using land banking to guide community development. By avoiding the potential neglect or misuse that comes from selling land at auction, the County is able to acquire abandoned land through the foreclosure process and determine the best use of that land. The Land Bank assembles land for transfer to adjacent homeowners, develops long and short-term green spaces, and assembles land for new housing and commercial development. Read more about Genesee County Land Bank Authority...

Founded in 1974, the Evergreen Land Trust Association is the oldest community land trust in the Pacific Northwest. The organization began as a grassroots effort to promote affordable housing, cooperatives, recycling, and other progressive initiatives related to land reform. ELT holds both urban and rural properties in the Puget Sound region, including cooperative houses and farms. The ELT Board of Directors is made up of two representatives from each ELT property and Board members representing the community at-large. Read more about Evergreen Land Trust...