New Collaborations for Land Banks and Community Land Trusts

Land banks and community land trusts are finding new ways to work together in light of the ongoing housing affordability crisis and the new economic pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 minute read

November 4, 2020, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Emma Zehner reports on the latest collaborations between community land trusts and land banks to address systemic racism and expand affordable housing opportunities.

The first example examined in the article: the New Home Development Program (NHDP), a collaboration of the city of Houston, the Houston Land Bank, and the Houston Community Land Trust (HCLT).

"Launched in 2018, NHDP was created to provide newly constructed, affordable single-family homes to homebuyers with a household income of 80 percent or less of area median income (AMI)," according to Zehner. "The program is working to address systemic racial disparities and discriminatory practices that have shut Black people and other people of color out of homeownership opportunities."

The Houston model is found in other cities around the country, like Portland and Atlanta, coalescing in the 36-month Catalytic Land Cohort, a program run by the Grounded Solutions Network and the Center for Community Progress, with initial funding from Wells Fargo.

Zehner offers insight into what makes these recent collaborations so innovative: "Land banks and community land trusts haven’t historically coordinated their work: land banks typically purchase properties in weak markets with the goal of bringing them back to productive use, while community land trusts have focused on ensuring affordability in hot markets. But by joining together, these entities can serve as an important tool in expanding homeownership opportunities."

The article also includes a history of community land trusts in addition to deeply reported partnership case studies from Albany, New York, and Richmond, Virginia, in addition to the New Home Development Program in Houston and examples from Atlanta and Portland.

As for next steps for the Catalytic Land Cohort, Zehner reports that the collaboration is seeking funding support to scale the model up to the regional level.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 in Land Lines

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

4 minutes ago - Newsweek

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

1 hour ago - domus

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

2 hours ago - Greater Good Magazine