About us

Our Story

The Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT) is a non-profit, member-based organization. We are the convening place for CLTs across Canada.

The network was first established in 2017 as an ad-hoc, volunteer-based collective in response to renewed interest in the community land trust model and growing challenges within the emerging sector.

With leadership from Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, CLTs and allies met regularly to share information and collaborate. Groups involved include Hogan’s Alley in Vancouver, Vivacité, Kensington Market CLT, Communauté Milton Parc, and the co-operative housing federations of British Columbia, Toronto, and Canada.

In October 2021, CNCLT won scaling funding from CMHC Demonstrations Initiative program and formally incorporated as a non-profit in 2022. The network is now driven by two staff working to develop resources, tools, and services to support the strategic development of community land trusts in Canada.

First gathering of Canadian community land trusts at the Grounded Solutions Network conference (2018)

Mission

To support the growth of community land trusts with the primary purpose of acquiring, developing, and/or stewarding permanently affordable housing, land, and other assets that contribute to a thriving community.

Vision

A Canadian CLT sector that is well-connected, enabled by government policy and funding, and driving a major increase in the national share of non-market housing assets.

Guiding Principles

Housing is a right, not a commodity.

The financialization of housing denies people their basic need for shelter. CLTs counter financializing through a model of land stewardship that is protected from the speculative real estate market.

Land ownership empowers communities.

The first CLT was developed by activists who saw land ownership as key to Black liberation. CNCLT supports projects that empower communities who have been systematically denied opportunities for land ownership, including racialized people, women, and so forth.

Solidarity with Indigenous people.

Engaging in land-based practices on stolen Indigenous lands, we are committed to supporting Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations through concrete actions.

Democratic governance.

CNCLT is a member-led network with an elected board representing the interests of the CLT sector. Members will record meeting minutes and, to the best of their ability, ensure that everyone can respectfully participate in discussions during member meetings.

Diversity is our strength.

CNCLT encourages membership from organizations led by equity-deserving groups. The network also encourages participation from organizations who are innovating community land trusts beyond the traditional model.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the support of our funders and partners.