Impact Snapshot

1st

Community Land Trust In Santa Clara County

77

Residents Stablized

22

Permanently Affordable Homes

2

Properties Preserved in San José

What is a Community Land Trust?

A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a nonprofit model led by the community that empowers tenants to remove land from the speculative market, so housing remains permanently affordable for future generations.

With a tripartite board and a horizontal organizational structure, the organization is led by community members with various committee and house meetings as avenues for community and tenant input.

As the organization identifies a property with residents who are interested in the CLT model. South Bay CLT works directly with residents and neighboring community members to understand the model and determine whether the property wants to begin the acquisition process.

The acquisition process would begin with monthly tenant meetings that incorporate what a CLT is, resident and organizational roles in the process, and community building/organizing. The process is finalized with a vote from every household on site where they decide if South Bay CLT will move forward with the acquisition.

After those meetings, if approved, South Bay CLT then begins working with the owner(s) and negotiating the acquisition price. Timelines for acquisition depend on many factors; South Bay CLT is very transparent with residents that the process does not happen overnight and will continue with future monthly meetings to provide updates and implement our Resident Learning Exchange.

It is important to note that while South Bay CLT focuses on housing and mixed-use properties, the Community Land Trust model can apply to various land uses.

This can look like;

  • urban agriculture

  • nature preserves

  • small businesses

  • community parks

South Bay CLT Committee Work

  • Organizing Committee

    If you have a passion for advocacy and speaking up against injustice, the organizing committee is the place for you! Our Committee advocates for affordable housing preservation and tenant and unhoused rights/protections.

  • Communications Committee

    For the storytellers in our community, this committee is at the forefront of all SBCLT Communications. Whether its social media, public flyers, or other public engagement, the comms committee does it all!

  • People's Preservation Fund Committee

    Our People’s Preservation Fund Committee is our fundraising committee. This space is ideal for folks who think outside the box on what fundraising looks like. The goal is simple: to continue this work long-term and ensure communities are not at risk of displacement in Santa Clara County.

Join a Committee!