Ventura County, Located to the north and west of Los Angeles County, will soon have its first two community land trusts.
"Two organizations have a new way for Ventura County residents to save money on housing: buying a home without purchasing the land underneath it," reports Erin Rode.
The Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is launching the Housing Land Trust Ventura County. The second land trust, called Homes for Generations of Ventura County, is the work of Matthew Fienup, executive director of the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran University, and Tim Gallagher, CEO of public relations company The 20/20 Network.
As defined by Rode, community land trusts "are nonprofit organizations that aim to provide affordable housing in perpetuity by owning land and either leasing homes or renting affordable housing units on that land. Homeowners on community land trusts receive a long-term lease agreement, typically for 99 years."
Ventura County is not the first to recently explore for the first time the idea of community land trusts as a way of preserving affordable housing. Columbus recently considered its first community land trust. The first citywide community land trust was recently created in New York City. Land trusts are also gaining traction in communities as far-flung as Baltimore, Seattle, and cities all over Colorado.
For more on the information about community land trusts and how they work, see previous posts on Planetizen:
- Explained: the Power and Potential of Community Land Trusts (July 2015)
- Explained: Community Land Trusts (January 2018)
FULL STORY: Two community land trusts are launching in Ventura County. Here's how they work.
Land Trusts Preserve Affordability, but for Whom?
An analysis of buildings bought by the city for a community land trust in Boston reveals that many prior residents were evicted just before the sales.
Community Land Trusts Fight for Neighborhood Affordability
The increasingly popular community-oriented mechanism makes neighbors into property owners and preserves affordable housing in perpetuity.
How One Community Land Trust Delivers Housing Affordability to Denver
The Elevation Community Land Trust's unusual ownership structure and strong initial fundraising have given it a solid footing in the Denver area.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restoring Northern India’s Himalayan ‘Water Temples’
Thousands of centuries-old buildings protect the region’s natural springs and serve as community wells and gathering places.
Milwaukee to Double Bike Share Stations
Bublr Bikes, one of the nation’s most successful, will add 500 new e-bikes to its system.
DC Extends Application Window for Outdoor Dining Permits
District restaurants will have until the end of November to apply, but businesses with permits in rush hour parking lanes must end operations on July 31.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service