What is a Community Land Trust, and Why Does It Matter?

What if there was a way to make homes affordable and keep them that way?

In gateway communities like ours, home prices continue to climb, and with it, so does the pressure on working families. Even when new housing is built, it’s often priced well out of reach.

That’s where Community Land Trusts (CLTs) come in. They offer a proven, community-centered model to keep housing affordable not just for one buyer, but for generations.

So, What Is a CLT

A Community Land Trust is a nonprofit that owns and stewards land for the public good, while allowing individuals to buy or rent the homes on that land. It separates land ownership from homeownership, keeping the cost of housing lower without sacrificing stability or equity for residents.

Here’s how it works:

  • The CLT holds the land in trust permanently.
  • A buyer purchases the home (not the land) and signs a long-term, renewable ground lease.
  • If the homeowner decides to sell, the CLT’s resale formula caps the price to keep the home affordable for the next buyer.

It’s a shared-equity model that offers security, stewardship, and community control over local housing stock.

Why Does This Matter Here?

CLTs are already operating successfully in our region, including in Frankfort and Leelanau County. They’ve helped families with modest incomes buy homes, build equity, and stay rooted in the communities they serve, all while protecting those homes from becoming out-of-reach in the future.

For small towns under pressure from seasonal tourism, rising land values, and limited inventory, CLTs offer a practical solution that balances individual opportunity with community benefit.

SBGC Is Putting This Model to Work.

One of SBGC’s primary objectives is to identify land opportunities and place them into a Community Land Trust to ensure long-term affordability. More than a concept we support, CLT is a strategy we’re actively pursuing. By working with partners and community stakeholders, we’re laying the groundwork to make permanent affordability a reality in our own backyard.

How Can You Help?

There are so many meaningful ways you can support the work of the Sleeping Bear Gateways Council and help strengthen our community.

  1. Northern Michigan has always been shaped by those who showed up, stayed, and gave back, especially second homeowners. You are part of that legacy. Make a donation today.
  2. Help us spread the word—talk to your friends, neighbors, business owners, and local officials. Share this newsletter with organizations you’re connected to, like your Chamber of Commerce, clubs, or neighborhood groups.
  3. Do you own land that might be suitable for conservation or community use? We’d love to hear from you—whether you’re open to donating or selling it to a local 501(c)(3), your contribution could make a lasting impact.
  4. If you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop—there’s a sign-up link right at the bottom of our homepage. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and stories from the region.
  5. Looking for hands-on ways to get involved? Consider volunteering with us. Every bit of support helps us protect and enhance the gateway communities of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

  6. Please attend Zoning and Village Council meetings encouraging their support to tackling the attainable housing crisis we have in our communities.

The Glen Arbor Township Board holds regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. These meetings take place at the Glen Arbor Town Hall, located at 6394 W. Western Ave., Glen Arbor, MI. Depending on circumstances, meetings are held either in the main hall or the lower meeting room. For 2025, the scheduled meeting dates are:

  • August 19th
  • September 16th
  • October 21st
  • November 18th

The Empire Township Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. These meetings take place at the Empire Township Hall, located at 10088 W. Front Street, Empire, MI. For 2025, the scheduled meeting dates are:

  • September 9th
  • October 14th
  • November11th
  • December 9th