As the economic recovery continues, one solution for smoothing out the boom and bust cycle in home ownership continues to gather momentum -- community land trusts, typically organized by non-profit entities such as community development corporations and often in partnership with municipalities, which remove the cost of land and allow homebuyers to purchase only structures, with limits on resale profits.
Leaders of community land trusts from around the country gathered in Athens, Georgia beginning October 27 for a national conference on protecting homes from foreclosure and providing long-term, green affordable housing. The 2009 National CLT Conference, “Growing Sustainably from the Roots Up,” is organized by the National Community Land Trust Network and co-sponsored by longtime partner the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
The gathering will focus on current economic challenges that have highlighted the importance land as a community asset through periods of boom and bust. The community land trust movement seeks to chart a course for economic recovery by providing long-term housing affordability, protecting homes from foreclosure, creating green jobs, and building a sustainable economy. The 2009 National CLT Conference has a special significance taking place in Georgia, where the CLT concept was born in the 1960s. The local host is the Athens Land Trust, which will share its experience with an engaging tour of homes and conservation lands.