HAT is researching community land trusts as a possible way to create and ensure long-term housing affordability. Community Land Trusts are nonprofit, community-based organizations designed to ensure community stewardship of land. To do so, the trust acquires land and maintains ownership of it permanently. With prospective homeowners, it enters into a long-term, renewable lease instead of a traditional sale. When the homeowner sells, the family earns only a portion of the increased property value. The remainder is kept by the trust, preserving the affordability for future low- to moderate-income families. 

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