A typical community land trust for affordable housing works like this:

1. A group or individual purchases a house that sits on land owned by the community land trust by purchasing a ground lease, a long-term (often 99 years), renewable, inheritable, and mortgageable lease.
2. The purchase price is more affordable because the homeowner is only buying the house and the rights to use the land, not the land itself.
3. The homeowners agree to sell the home at a restricted price (set by the CLT using a resale formula) to keep it affordable in perpetuity, but they may be able to realize appreciation from improvements they make while they live in the house(s).

How would the CLT acquire land?

1. Landholders can donate or bequeath their lands to the CLT, specifying preference or limitations around how the land will be used in the future.
2. The CLT could raise partial funds to subsidize the purchase of the land by a potential buyer.
3. The CLT could raise funds to completely purchase available lands and then seek stewards.
4. Current landholders can place their property in the CLT and retain rights to their home/land via a ground lease.