Community Land Trusts Laying Down Roots in Baltimore

Natalie Sherman reports on the growing prominence of community land trusts in Baltimore. Defined as nonprofits that develop or oversee affordable housing and other community assets such as playgrounds, parks and gardens, activists are working to create three new community land trusts in the city. The big idea behind the community land trust model: to keep home affordable through generations of buyers.

Sherman provides details of the activities of Charm City Land Trust Inc., the Northeast Baltimore Housing Initiative, and the New Park Heights Community Development Corp. to create or expand community land trusts.

The article also spends a lot of time offering insights into debate about the merits of the community land trust model. Critics, for instance, worry that homeowners won't benefit by the equity in their homes. Also included in the article are opinions from academic and politicians about whether Baltimore is the right fit for the community land trust model.