What is a CLT?

A community land trust (CLT) is a community-based organization that provides lasting community assets and shared equity homeownership opportunities for families and communities. CLTs are established to serve as the long-term stewards of land and to protect long-term affordability and access to housing and other community uses located on that land. There are nearly 300 community land trusts currently in operation in the US.

A community land trust buys or receives donated land, builds homes (or acquires and rehabilitates existing homes), and makes these homes available for sale to limited-income homebuyers, writing down the purchase price to an affordable level by using public and/or private subsidies. CLTs are governed by a board of CLT residents, community residents, and public representatives – in Harris County’s case, the Harris County Community Land Trust Management Corporation, a subsidiary of the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation.

HCCLT Management Corporation

The Harris County Community Land Trust Management Corporation was established in January 2021 as a subsidiary of the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation. It is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Harris County CLT.

The Harris County Community Land Trust aims to:

• Offer safe, decent, and affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income buyers
• Preserve long-term affordability for future low-income residents in the community

If traditional homeownership is out of reach due to your financial circumstances, a Community Land Trust (CLT) could be a great option. CLTs acquire or receive donated homes and offer them for sale to income-restricted buyers, while leasing the land beneath the property.

Here’s how it works

• A family or individual purchases a home on land owned by a community land trust (CLT). The homeowner(s) leases the land from the CLT for 99 years, with the lease being both inheritable and renewable.
• The home is more affordable because the homeowner is only purchasing the house, not the land.
• The lease grants the homeowner exclusive rights to occupy and use the land, just like traditional homeowners.
• If the homeowner decides to sell in the future, they agree to sell the home at a price set below market value, while still building equity. This helps keep the home affordable long-term and ensures that another household in need of this opportunity can benefit from CLT homeownership.
• CLTs play an active role in supporting homeowners, helping them succeed and remain in their homes as long as they wish to own the property.

Application

The Harris County Community Land Trust (HCCLT) is now accepting applications for Inventory Homes only.

Current Inventory of Available Properties

Click here to see our inventory of qualifying homes.

Reference this Harris County Precinct Map for property locations.

Pre-application

Fill out the pre-application so a CLT representative can reach out with information.

Contact Information for Applications

The designated email for CLT applications and inquiries is: HCDInfo-HarrisCountyCLT@harriscountytx.gov

2024 Houston/The Woodlands/Sugar Land Region
HUD Maximum Annual Household Income Limits*