NYC Community Land Trusts Surge Tenfold Since '90s

Community land trusts (CLTs) are gaining traction in the U.S. as a viable solution to affordable housing challenges. In New York City, the New Economy Project has released an interactive map showcasing a ten-fold increase in CLTs since the early '90s, highlighting their role in providing affordable housing and community development. Similarly, in Bald Head Island, local officials are exploring the establishment of a land trust to conserve valuable properties and control development, reflecting growing community concerns about unchecked growth. The Proud Ground nonprofit in the Pacific Northwest exemplifies how CLTs support low-income families like Christin Carter's by facilitating affordable homeownership through a tripartite governance model that includes leaseholders in decision-making. The upcoming California Land Recycling Conference aims to address similar issues related to land revitalization and sustainable redevelopment. These initiatives point to a broader movement toward community-driven land management as a means to combat housing instability and promote equitable development.