New York’s Moment for Community Land and Affordable Housing, Gotham Gazette
After Intense Public Pressure, Rio City Hall Backtracks and Maintains Community Land Trust Provision in Master Plan, RioOnWatch
A Black Neighbourhood Destroyed Half a Century Ago Is on the Brink of a Comeback, The Walrus
The CLT Center is hiring a Communications Manager
More CLTs in the news
More CLT job postings
In this edition, we feature stories that highlight the international growth of the CLT movement. The emerging power of CLTs organizing for change in New York City. The efforts of Catalytic Communities that successfully restored CLTs to the Rio de Janeiro master plan. And the long battle to revitalize a historic Black community, Hogan's Alley, in Vancouver, Canada. And you'll also find a list of other recent articles about CLTs from around the world.
We are excited about hiring our first Communications Manager -- you can see the announcement in this newsletter, as well as other CLT job postings.
Carlina Rivera and Lincoln Restler, Gotham Gazette, June 22, 2023
New York City faces a housing crisis, with numerous vacant rent-stabilized apartments due to speculators and landlords. To tackle the issue, the Community Land Act advocates for nonprofit and Community Land Trusts' involvement to develop affordable housing. The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) gives these organizations the first chance to buy properties, ensuring affordable units. Additionally, the bill package includes Public Land for Public Good, prioritizing nonprofits and CLTs in public land development to counter displacement and improve long-term affordability.
By Felipe Litsek, Tarcyla Fidalgo, Translation by Annie Swank, RioOnWatch, June 27, 2023
The restoration of the Community Land Trust (CLT) provision in Rio de Janeiro's master plan is considered a major victory for housing rights advocates, including Catalytic Communities, a prominent organization working to promote inclusive and sustainable development in the city. Their efforts, along with numerous civil society organizations, led to the reintegration of the CLT model, which aims to guarantee affordable housing and community permanence in established favelas. Despite some concerns about additional regulations, the ongoing negotiations and approval process hold the potential to bring about innovative solutions and positive change in Rio's housing landscape.
Vancouver's Hogan's Alley, a historically Black neighborhood demolished in the 1960s, is seeing a resurgence thanks to the efforts of the Hogan's Alley Society. After the city's announcement of redevelopment plans, the society pushed for a community land trust to preserve affordable housing and cultural significance. This decision faced criticism, but the society emphasizes that it aims to restore cultural capital lost due to displacement and acknowledges the land's Indigenous history. The community land trust ensures a neighborhood and agency for Vancouver's Black residents and strengthens ties with Indigenous communities, fostering a holistic approach to restitution.
The Center for Community Land Trust Innovation seeks to hire a Communications Manager as a full-time employee. This is a fully remote position, with the expectation of international travel at least once per year. We are looking for someone to play a key role in codesigning and implementing our comprehensive communications strategy. And as a fluent Spanish speaker, the Communications Manager will help us greatly expand our reach in Latin America, Spain, and within the US. For the full job description and information on how to apply, go to cltweb.org/hiring/communications-manager/
