“This will decrease my property value?”
Not True – Well-designed, owner-occupied housing—especially with a Community Land Trust—helps stabilize and protect property values.
- Homes and Communities are designed to fit in our northern woods character. The Community will maintain year-round residents, schools, and civic life, keeping our community vibrant, sustainable, and safe.
“Funding for the land and development is coming from new taxes.”
Not True – Local residents have already donated funds to SBGC to purchase the land. (No taxpayer dollars required) Infrastructure costs, such as water, sewer, and roads, are paid for by the development
“My taxes will go up.”
Not True – SBGC purchases the land with funds already donated by local residents. Infrastructure costs (sewer, water, electrical, etc.) are absorbed by the developer, not the taxpayers.
“These homes are government-subsidized housing.”
Not True – Homes are sold to workers who have been interviewed and passed a background check. They must live and work in the community. Our model, along with government mandates, encourages first responders, firefighters, EMTs, teachers and school staff, healthcare workers, tradespeople, hospitality employees, and essential workforce families.
“This will change the character of our community.”
Not True – We are local residents and your neighbors, maintaining the Character of our communities is as important to you as it is to us. Look at the designs and see what we mean.
- Plans, designs, and prototypes are on record. You can visit the SBGC website, or we can email it to you for your comments and feedback.
- Attainable houses are usually two- to three-bedroom homes built on quarter-acre lots, allowing for front and back yards for kids to play.
- HOA will provide maintenance and appearance guidelines for owners.
“What kind of people will live there?”
Homes are sold to local full-time workers, who must live and work in the community, to build neighborhoods with working families. State and federal governments mandate eligibility guidelines and ensure that seasonal and unemployed individuals do not qualify.
“We will have to pay for the infrastructure.”
Not True – Infrastructure costs, such as water, sewer, and roads, are paid for by the development.
“Developers will change the plan later.”
Not True – Developers are mandated by zoning and building approvals prior to commencing work. The managers of the CLTs are governed by Federal and State mandates.
“It won’t really help local businesses.”
Not True – Local Business owners, electricians, plumbers, and grocery and retail services all benefit with increase local customers.
Bottom Line
Attainable housing supports our community, strengthens our economy, and preserves our way of life—without raising taxes.