The nonprofit model is becoming more popular as communities seek ways to reduce housing costs.

With housing costs spiraling out of control for many U.S. households, community land trusts and shared equity homeownership programs are growing in popularity, with over 300 land trusts nationwide.
In a piece for Route Fifty, Molly Bolan explains the model. “Land trusts are nonprofits that through a shared equity program purchase properties and then sell or rent the single-family homes, multifamily buildings or commercial spaces built on them. The trust retains ownership of the land the house sits on.” Unlike more predatory models (see investor-owned mobile home parks), land trusts enter a long-term (often 99-year) lease, which can be transferred to new owners should the first homeowners decide to sell.
“Nationwide, nearly 88% of people who own their homes through a shared equity program are first-time buyers, according to Grounded Solutions Network. The model offers social benefits too, like mitigating gentrification and reducing racial gaps in homeownership.” In Texas, the Florida Keys, and Lahaina, community land trusts are being used as a way to preserve affordable housing for residents in the wake of natural disasters.
Because scaling the land trust model can be costly, James Yelen, director of technical assistance for Grounded Solutions Network, warns that the suggests that cities should dedicate funding to supporting the model, pointing to examples in Oakland and Chicago. “Beyond dedicated funding, state and local governments can update laws to ensure community land trusts are eligible for affordable housing funding from programs like the federal Community Development Block Grant.” States, counties, and cities could also exempt community land trusts from property taxes to reduce their costs.
FULL STORY: Hungry for affordable housing, communities turn to land trusts

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie