Community Land Trusts (CLTs) have emerged as an alternative model for promoting affordable housing and sustainable community development. By enabling communities to take control, CLTs address issues of affordability, accessibility and local governance. This article explores the concept of CLTs, the benefits they bring and hurdles they face.
What is a Community Land Trust?
A CLT is a democratic, non-profit organisation that acquires and holds land. The primary purpose is to promote long-term affordable housing and sustainable development by ensuring land remains available for community use and is not subject to market pressures that drive up costs. CLTs will typically prioritise the needs of the community within which they construct their developments and collaborate with other entities, such as councils and housing associations, to increase their capacity for schemes.
Does the model work?
They offer a sustainable approach to addressing the housing crisis by creating and maintaining affordable housing options to reduce homelessness and housing instability. With the community at the heart of everything they do, they aim to use land in ways that the community want to see and to empower residents to shape their own neighbourhoods.
However, they often rely on partnerships and grants for their developments and securing such funding can be tricky in addition to navigating the planning, legal and regulatory minefield that every developer has to face. This is challenged further by a lack of awareness about the concept of CLTs and the need for ongoing positive community involvement to make any CLT a success.
The concept of CLTs offers an innovative approach for affordable housing whilst also promoting a sense of community within each development they create. Whilst they face numerous hurdles to succeed in their ventures, through collaboration, community engagement and a commitment to long-term affordable housing options, CLTs might have a large part to address the housing crisis across the country.
Please contact our Social Housing team if you require any further information regarding CLTs.