Authors: Helen Campbell
Date: January 1, 2007
Project: Frontline Innovations in the Battle for Affordable Housing
This study examines the wider historical, political and socio-economic contexts of community land trusts (CLT) in order to analyze their effectiveness for use as a regional and local urban economic development tool in Council District 1, as a model that can be applied Citywide in Los Angeles. An analysis of the local housing market is made to contextualize the role of CLTs and establish a purpose for a model. An overview of the basic CLT model is then described with a look at the mechanics of how resale formulas retain affordability for a community. A historical discussion of CLTs examines the original intent and purpose within its roots and provides a framework for the model CLT in Council District 1. A comparative case study analysis of commensurable community land trusts include the Champlain Housing Trust in, Vermont, the City of Chicago CLT, Illinois, and the City of Irvine CLT, California. An overview of inclusionary zoning and SB 1818 is made to strategize how with a model CLT may fit given the existing and future state of local housing policies. Subsequently, the geopolitical boundary of Council District 1 is examined in detail, using GIS maps to define the demographic and socio-economic affordability index while projecting future changes in the affordable housing stock and analyzing relevant impacts. Finally,judicious policy recommendations determine how best to implement a community land trust in Council District 1, as a model for a citywide CLT.
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