Key Decisions for a New Community Land Trust

Key Decisions/Key Tasks for a New CLT

1. Define "community." (What geographic area will the CLT serve?)

2. Create the corporate structure. (Will the CLT be created as a new corporation, will it be grafted onto an existing nonprofit corporation, or will it be gradually spun off from an existing nonprofit corporation?)

3. Create the governance structure. (Who will govern the CLT? How will leaseholder interests and community interests be represented – and balanced? How will that governing body be selected/elected?)

4. Preserve affordability. (What limits will be placed on equity? Which resale formula will be adopted? What limits will be placed on subletting?)

5. Promote “responsible” use. (What conditions and restrictions will be placed on the homeowner's use, upkeep, and improvement of his/her unit?)

6. Choose roles and activities. (Which types and tenures of housing will the CLT develop? Which tasks and roles will the CLT play? Which tasks and roles will be relegated to – or purchased from – others?)

7. Target the benefits. (For whom is the housing being made affordable – and kept affordable? Aside from household income, are there other criteria or other priorities that will guide the selection of "eligible" beneficiaries?)

8. Build the base. (How will the constituency base and the membership base of the CLT be recruited and nurtured? What role will the membership play?)

9. Educate public sector. (How will public-sector funders, policy makers, planners, and assessors be educated and persuaded to support the CLT?)

10. Educate private sector. (How will private-sector lenders, lawyers, foundations, and appraisers be educated and persuaded to support the CLT?)