Community Land Trust (CLT)
A community land trust is a non-profit that owns land to keep housing affordable permanently through resale restrictions.
September 29, 2025
What is a Community Land Trust?
A community land trust (CLT) is a non-profit organization that owns land to preserve long-term housing affordability. Homes are sold or rented at below-market rates while the trust retains ownership of the underlying land.
Why a Community Land Trusts Matter in Real Estate
CLTs matter in real estate because they protect against displacement, stabilize neighborhoods, and ensure permanent affordability. They give communities control over land use and housing outcomes.
Example of a Community Land Trust in Action
A non-profit community land trust in Vancouver acquires land and sells homes at affordable prices, ensuring resale restrictions keep them affordable for future buyers.
Key Takeaways
- Non-profit ownership of land to ensure affordability.
- Homes sold or rented below market rates.
- Prevents displacement and supports community stability.
- Ensures permanent affordability with resale restrictions.
- Empowers communities to guide housing outcomes.
Related Terms
- Affordable Housing Agreement
- Inclusionary Housing Policy
- Non-Profit Housing
- Housing Affordability
- Land Lease Community


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
