State College State College Community Land TrustCommunity Land Trust

Building Community Through Home Ownership

THE REALITIES OF THE THE REALITIES OF THE

MARKETPLACEMARKETPLACE• Many low and modest income jobs are

in town • Families with low and modest incomes

benefit from living near their work • In-town real estate is expensive and

getting more so each year • Urban home ownership decreases as

rental housing increases

COMMUNITY LAND COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTSTRUSTS

• An innovative approach• A global initiative• Introduced to US in 1950-60• Increasing in popularity over the

past 30 years all over the country  

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National Community Land Trust National Community Land Trust NetworkNetwork

WHAT IS A WHAT IS A COMMUNITY LAND TRUST?COMMUNITY LAND TRUST?

• Private, nonprofit, community-based organization

• Governed by board representative of community interests

• For example, our board consists of:– One-third CLT homeowners– One-third community representatives– One-third public representatives

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KEY OBJECTIVES OF KEY OBJECTIVES OF COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTSCOMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS

• Provide access to housing for people who are otherwise denied

  

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• Preserve neighborhood resources

• Empower residents through involvement and participation in the organization

• Preserve the affordability of housing permanently

• Acquires properties through donation or purchase 

• Separates ownership of the land from the home– CLT retains ownership of

the land– Homeowner purchases

and owns the home– CLT leases land to

homeowner under a 99-year lease

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HOW DOES A CLT WORK?HOW DOES A CLT WORK?

STATE COLLEGE STATE COLLEGE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST (SCCLT)COMMUNITY LAND TRUST (SCCLT)

• Formed in 1996 at the request of State College Borough

• Focus is on buying, rehabilitating, and selling houses

• SC Borough provides HUD money to SCCLT for purchases

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• Member of the National Community Land Trust Network

• One of three CLTs in Pennsylvania

MISSION OF SCCLT MISSION OF SCCLT The SCCLT supports vibrant neighborhoods by

creating and maintaining sustainable housing opportunities for families and individuals who value living in the Borough of State College. 

  

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College Heights

Highlands

State College South

Tusseyview

Greentree

Holmes-Foster

SCCLT SINCE 1996 SCCLT SINCE 1996

• Over 30 households have become homeowners for the first time

• These homes are located throughout the Borough

HOW DOES THE SCCLT WORK?HOW DOES THE SCCLT WORK?• Obtain funding• Purchase or accept donated house• Rehab house

Examples of the type of rehab work done:

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New roof Upgrade electrical service Upgrade plumbing Replace inefficient windows

and doors

Replace unusable appliances Paint, carpet, flooring Mitigate lead-based paint,

asbestos, radon

HOW DOES THE SCCLT WORK?HOW DOES THE SCCLT WORK?

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• SCCLT retains deed to the land• Market and sell house (aka “improvements”) to

an income-qualified buyer• Lease the land to the homeowner at nominal fee• Homeowner responsible for taxes and

maintenance of house and land• Homeowner and SCCLT share in equity upon

resale

• When possible, rehab uses environmentally friendly materials

• All replacement appliances are Energy Star™ models

SCCLT GREEN INITIATIVESCCLT GREEN INITIATIVE

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• Installation of low flow faucets, shower heads and toilets

• All houses receive an energy audit• Actively seeking grants for energy efficient rehab

HOW DOES SCCLT KEEP THE HOME HOW DOES SCCLT KEEP THE HOME PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE?PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE?

• Homeowner(s) agree to share with future homeowners the affordability that was created for them

• Seller is allowed to receive price reflective of the value invested in the property

• Selling price is limited to preserve affordability to the next buyer

• House is re-sold to a SCCLT qualified buyer

• SCCLT has first refusal to purchase the house back from the homeowner

• Benefits of home ownership are preserved for future generations

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HOW DOES THE BOROUGH BENEFIT?HOW DOES THE BOROUGH BENEFIT?

• Residential neighborhoods are preserved• Older deteriorating homes are rehabilitated and

given new life• Young families move into the Borough• Brings workers closer to their jobs and students

closer to their schools

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SAMPLE SCCLT PROPERTIES SAMPLE SCCLT PROPERTIES

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Taylor Street

South Atherton Street

West Lytle Avenue

HOW DOES THE HOMEBUYER HOW DOES THE HOMEBUYER BENEFIT FROM SCCLT?BENEFIT FROM SCCLT?

• Makes first-time home purchase affordable • Advantages of an excellent support system

– Free legal assistance at closing

– Home has been rehabilitated

– SCCLT provides a free energy audit of the house

– Free financial counseling• Social benefits 

– Join a group of fellow homeowners

– Help others become first-time homeowners

– Participate in SCCLT social activities• Practical benefits

– Freedom from rent

– Build equity for the future

– Personal pride in helping to sustain the community  

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HOW CAN YOU HELP?HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Sell or donate your house to the SCCLT

• Become a member• Volunteer• Donate• Spread the word!

  

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This presentation represents the collaborative efforts of many involved with the State College

Community Land Trust.

A sincere thank you to all those who had a hand in creating this presentation, among whom are:

The Market/Outreach committeeThe Board of Directors and the Executive Director

The Planning Office of the Borough of State College

Research and script development.....Bob LeonardGraphic design.....John Hiester

2020

State College Community Land Trust420 West College Ave.

State College, PA 16801Phone/Fax: 814-867-0656

Email: director@scclandtrust.orgWebsite: www.scclandtrust.org