A community land trust is a non-profit organization controlled by the community it serves through a community-based membership and a democratically-elected Board. (See also the document created for Evanston's Housing Future conference, linked on the left, and Burlington Associates, who helped us get our CLT organized.)

The process

Property is acquired in the community by the land trust. The land is held for the common good. Residential buildings on the land are sold to qualified buyers who lease the land on a long-term basis, typically 99 years.

How it works

The cost of the land is eliminated in the transaction, resulting in making the housing more affordable. The long-term nature of the Land Trust allows for the continual provision of less expensive housing indefinitely.

An example:

• A property may be valued at $100,000
• The land is worth 40%.
• The structures are worth 60%, or $60,000.
• The Land Trust separates out the value of the structures from that of the land
• The qualified buyer will be allowed to purchase the structures for $60,000
• The land is then leased to the buyer for a nominal fee.

Executive Director:
Wilfred Gadsden

Contact:
Citizens' Lighthouse Community Land Trust can be reached at:

office@citizenslighthouse.org
or
CLCLT
P.O. Box 1046
Evanston, IL 60204 - 1046