Community land trusts

Definition

Community land trusts (CLTs) are non-profit organizations that acquire and hold land for the benefit of a community, ensuring that the land remains affordable and accessible for residents. By separating the ownership of land from the ownership of buildings, CLTs create a sustainable model for housing, economic development, and community engagement, empowering residents to have a say in land use and development decisions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Community land trusts emerged in the United States during the 1960s as a response to issues like housing affordability and urban displacement.
2. CLTs allow for long-term leasing of land to individuals or families while retaining ownership, which helps to maintain affordability even as property values rise.
3. These trusts often include provisions for community involvement in decision-making processes related to land use and development.
4. Community land trusts can contribute to stabilizing neighborhoods by preventing speculative real estate practices that lead to displacement.
5. Many CLTs also focus on environmental sustainability by incorporating green spaces and sustainable development practices within their land management.

Review Questions

• How do community land trusts operate to maintain affordable housing within urban areas?
  • Community land trusts operate by acquiring land and keeping it off the speculative market, thus preventing price inflation. They lease this land at affordable rates to residents who can build or buy homes on it. This model ensures that housing remains affordable for future generations, even as property values in surrounding areas may increase.
• Evaluate the impact of community land trusts on neighborhood stability and gentrification processes.
  • Community land trusts can play a significant role in stabilizing neighborhoods by curbing gentrification. By keeping land in community control, they limit the effects of rising property values and prevent the displacement of long-term residents. This preservation of affordability allows communities to retain their cultural and social fabric, fostering resilience against external market pressures.
• Critically analyze how community land trusts contribute to the 'right to the city' movement and its broader implications for urban policy.
  • Community land trusts are integral to the 'right to the city' movement, which advocates for equitable access to urban resources and decision-making power. By empowering communities through collective ownership and management of land, CLTs help ensure that local voices are prioritized in urban planning. This not only challenges dominant narratives about property rights but also influences broader urban policies towards more inclusive, sustainable practices that prioritize community welfare over profit.

Related terms

Affordable Housing: Housing that is deemed affordable to those with a median household income as rated by the national government or local governments.

Gentrification: The process by which urban neighborhoods undergo transformation due to an influx of more affluent residents, often leading to the displacement of existing lower-income residents.

Cooperative Housing: A type of housing arrangement where residents collectively own and manage their living space, promoting community involvement and shared responsibility.