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WHAT IS A 
COMMUNITY LAND TRUST?

Community land trusts (CLT) are designed to provide community stewardship of land. They are primarily used to ensure long-term housing affordability. To do so, a CLT maintains ownership of acquired land permanently.

When a house is built on the land, only the house is sold, and the homebuyer enters into a long-term, renewable lease of the land. When the house is resold, the CLT and the homeowner share the increased equity using a market rate, appraisal based resale formula. This allows for the house to remain affordable for the subsequent homebuyers who follow.

Watch for more about community land trusts.

COCLT - HOW IT WORKS

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The COCLT acquires land and serves as its permanent owner and as steward for residences built on it. The land is held forever by the COCLT as a community asset. The homebuyer owns the structure, and leases the land from the COCLT.

   

A 99-year renewable Land Lease between the homebuyer and COCLT ensures that when the house is sold, the appreciation in property value is shared between COCLT and the homeowner and that the house goes to another income eligible household.

 

The COCLT provides development gap financing and a purchase price write down (the difference between the original selling price and what the homebuyer qualifies for up to $50,000) for each COCLT home.  The COCLT investment for each home is needed only one time and extends affordability to the first homebuyer and subsequent homebuyers who follow.

 

Your understanding of the process and expectations are important for a successful homebuying experience. Review the COCLT 3-Step Resale Model for more details. Still have questions? Click here or review our FAQs below.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

  • Who do I contact at COCLT with questions?
    If you have not been able to find answers to all your questions, feel free to email us.
  • What if I need to change my banking information for the Land Lease Fee?
    The form needed to make a change to your banking information is located on the COCLT Documents page or by clicking here. Additionally, you must provide a document that includes BOTH your name and your FULL bank account number (e.g., voided check or a letter from your banking institution) and routing number. Any changes must be received prior to the 20th of the month for the subsequent month.
  • What happens if I do not make my the Land Lease fee payment on time? ( Land Lease - Article 12)
    If the homeowner fails to pay the Lease Fee to COCLT, and the fee is left unpaid for 30 days following notice from COCLT, then you are out of compliance with the Land Lease and will be assessed a late fee of $15.00.
  • Who pays the property taxes?
    The homeowner pays all the taxes associated with the property. As with all homeowners, property taxes and mortgage interest are tax deductible.
  • What if I want to refinance my COCLT home? (Land Lease - Article 8)
    Homeowners may refinance their mortgage or obtain a home equity line of credit only with COCLT’s written permission. More information can be found here. The form needed to begin the refinancing/loan process is located on the COCLT Documents page or by clicking here.
  • What happens if I want to sell my home? (Land Lease - Article 10)
    Homeowners wanting to see their home must notify COCLT. More information can be found here. The form needed to notify COCLT of your intent to sell is located on the COCLT Documents page or by clicking here.
  • What is the Resale Formula - and how does it work? (Land Lease - Article 10)
    The resale formula outlines how the COCLT calculates the maximum price at which a homeowner can resell their home. The resale formula is identified in Article 10 of the Land Lease found here.
  • What costs will the homeowner pay when selling the COCLT home? (Article 10)
    The homeowner will pay all closing costs related to the purchase, any outstanding Land Lease fees owed to COCLT, and any amounts necessary to discharge any liens against the home.
  • What happens if COCLT sells or transfers the land my home is on? (Land Lease - Article 3)
    COCLT does not intend to sell or transfer the land underneath the CLT homes. In the unlikely event that the COCLT dissolves or must transfer the land to another entity, then the homeowner’s Land Lease on the land would continue for the remainder of its term. However, if the land were to be transferred to an entity other than a non-profit corporation, a charitable trust, a government agency, or an organization with goals similar to those of COCLT, then before the transfer occurred, the homeowner would have a right of first refusal to purchase the land underneath the home.
  • What if I have a dispute with COCLT? (Land Lease - Article 13)
    COCLT and the homeowners can take their dispute to mediation. The costs of the mediation will be split equally among the parties. If the dispute is not resolved in mediation, the issue will be submitted to binding arbitration.
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