Community Land Trust

Community Land Trust:

According to the Kem C Gardner Policy Institute in the last five years, housing prices in Utah roughly doubled.  At the same time municipalities through out  this state are faced with finding ways to provide affordable housing.  A Community Land Trust (CLT) is one option and it seems to be gaining in popularity.

CLTs hold land in a trust to preserve affordability issues over a long term.  The CLT offers long term leases (often for 99 years)  on the land.  The homeowner pays for the cost of dwelling and there is a monthly fee to lease the land.   If and when a homeowner decides to move there’s a cap on how much the home can be sold for.

As explained by Sharlene Wilde, Executive Director of NeighborWorks in the St George News article: Housing Action Coalition and NeighborhoodWorks Create Community Land Trust in Washington County (Aug 16, 2022): The nonprofit Southwest Utah Community Land Trust was set up with the goal of “providing long-term affordable homeownership opportunities.