The Ralph and Goldy Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

Community land trusts are gaining momentum, emerging as an innovative place-based model that is contributing to Southern California's affordable housing landscape. This report, prepared for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), analyzes established and emerging community land trusts in the region and examines how this model increases housing supply, produces lasting affordability, and empowers residents to engage in shared governance.Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this report provides an in-depth analysis of two established community land trusts. Key personnel from the case study organizations and other partners were interviewed, accompanied by an analysis of their development strategy, financing mechanisms and demographic data. Results from the comparative analysis highlight publicly-initiated and grassroots models as significant implementation pathways in Southern California. These models, however, diverge in their outcomes, reflecting differences in organizational formation, development strategy, financing, and governance. These distinct approaches shed light on the broad spectrum of community land trust models that are prevalent in the region. Findings from this report are intended to inform regional housing policy discussions and provide recommendations for SCAG and local jurisdictions considering community land trusts as a tool to meet state-mandate housing goals and address housing affordability. This report concludes with three recommendations to support regional development of community land trusts, including: establishing a regional CLT Pilot Program that supports land acquisition and capacity building for emerging organizations, facilitating a regional community land trust or social housing network to strengthen coordination, and developing a policy toolkit based on the Southern California policy and regulatory context.