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
September residential sales, not seasonally adjusted; the annual comparison uses CREA’s revised figures. Chart: 
Annual changes in the unadjusted national MLS® HPI and average sale price. The average is affected by the mix of transactions. Chart: 
Seasonally adjusted residential months of inventory by province. Local property types can differ substantially. Chart: 
Ontario and B.C. are the two provinces with forecast annual average-price declines in 2026. Chart: 
Annual average transaction prices in Canadian dollars. Forecast values are not December price targets. Chart: 
Five-year changes in seasonally adjusted composite MLS® HPI benchmarks, September 2021 to September 2026. Chart: 
