Burlington Associates is a national consulting cooperative founded in 1993 to support the formation of community land trusts (CLTs) and to assist them in designing policies, programs, and projects for the production and stewardship of permanently affordable housing and community facilities. We also assist nonprofit organizations, cooperative enterprises, and governmental entities that do not match the profile of a “classic” CLT, when committed to similar principles of permanent affordability, active stewardship, resident engagement, and community ownership of land.
Operating out of offices in Burlington VT, Bozeman MT, Boston, MA, Minneapolis MN, Petaluma CA, and Athens GA, we specialize in providing five types of technical assistance:
Organization
Incorporation of a new community land trust, the conversion of an existing nonprofit corporation into a CLT, or the formation of a CLT program within an existing organization.
Training
Advising, teaching, and mentoring CLT practitioners, homeowners, and community leaders on organizational policies, operational procedures, and project development.
Planning
Creation of business plans and strategic plans for CLTs and other nonprofits dedicated to the expansion and stewardship of permanently affordable housing.
Partnerships
Facilitation of cooperative relationships among CLTs located within the same city, county, state, or region.
policies
Development of governmental policies and programs supporting housing and other land-based assets designed to remain affordable forever.
Our work is guided by a practical philosophy of equitable and sustainable community development containing five strategic priorities:
- Prevent the removal of public subsidies and charitable donations that have been invested in affordable housing, transit-oriented development, urban agriculture, and neighborhood commercial districts, retaining whatever gains in accessibility and affordability have been made possible by those investments;
- Enhance security of tenure and economic mobility for families of modest means by expanding access to permanently affordable homeownership;
- Ensure the lasting affordability, quality, and security of housing and other community assets by entrusting a nonprofit organization with responsibility for their long-term stewardship.
- Nurture a robust “third sector” of private, nonprofit organizations capable of working in partnership with government to deliver housing, economic development and other essential services to local neighborhoods and communities.
- Empower residents to have a voice in the ownership, development, and use of lands and buildings within their own communities.