Across Canada, CLTs generally use similar legal frameworks to structure their organizations and manage land, even though land use and non‐profit legislation varies from one province to another. In Quebec, however, there are some unique legal frameworks that allow CLTs and other community‐owned real estate groups to use different models for ownership and long‐term stewardship.…
DetailsThis practical guidebook provides information for Community Land Trusts at any stage from establishment to stewardship and operations. The guidebook walks through the five phases of the CLT Starter Kit supplemented by resources for each stage.
DetailsThis guide breaks down the fundamentals of commercial (non-residential) leasing and explores how different leasing structures—like ground leases, third-party commercial leases, and operating leases—show up in CLT projects. Published in partnership with Miller Thomson LLP.
DetailsThe Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts is hiring! Technical Assitance Manager (12-month term, renewable) If you’re a curious and collaborative professional passionate about community-owned and social-purpose real estate, this could be for you! We anticipate hiring two Managers, whose diverse skillsets with complement each other. Full opportunity Advocacy and Membership Manager (8-month term, renewable)…
DetailsThe Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT), in partnership with Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust (PNLT), is excited to release a new five-part guide series designed to support community land trusts across Canada as they plan, grow, and scale their impact. These guides are grounded in real-world experiences of PNLT staff and members, demonstrating how…
Details2025 was a turning point for community land trusts in Canada. Unprecedented investment by government, philanthropy, and social finance presented real opportunities for community land trusts (CLTs) to deliver on their promise of decommodified land stewarded by and for community. CNCLT’s key accomplishments include hosting the Community Land Trust Summit in Kjipuktuk (Halifax) and releasing…
DetailsThis weekend, the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts was on the ground in Toronto, attending the second annual gathering of New Housing Alternatives, a pan-Canadian research initiative, as well as the public launch for the related Housing Commons Research Centre. Commencing just one day after the City of Toronto evicted a nearby encampment in…
DetailsFrom October 6 to 9, CNCLT was on the ground in Philadelphia for Next City’s annual Vanguard Conference. This year’s theme, anti-poverty action, brought together emerging urban planners, architects, community organizers, and activists from across North America. Through walking tours, site visits, and panel discussions, the cohort explored community-led work at intersections of community ownership,…
DetailsIt’s just over a week since the third annual Community Land Trust Summit: Gaining Ground. This year, members and allies of the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts gathered in Mi’kma’ki for four incredible days: two in downtown Halifax and two visiting African Nova Scotia and Mi’kmaq sites of resilience. Joy was at the forefront…
DetailsThe federal government’s new Build Canada Homes (BCH) program signals a bold return to building housing at scale. The goal—accelerating the delivery of affordable homes—is critical. But BCH risks missing a once-in-a-generation opportunity: activating community land trusts (CLTs). CLTs already deliver on many of the directions stated within the BCH Market Sounding Guide: They lock…
DetailsHelp shape the future of the community land trust movement in Canada. Nominations are now open for the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts’ (CNCLT) Board of Directors. Four directors will be elected at our Annual General Meeting on October 17, 2025 (1:00–3:00 PM ET). Read the full call and apply by October 10, 2025
DetailsContext From May 27 to 29, just steps from the White House, this CNCLT team attended Grounded Solutions Network’s first conference since 2022: Policy. Power. Practice. Grounded Solutions is a U.S.-based national network advancing equitable housing solutions through community land trusts, shared equity homeownership, and inclusive development. Amid political uncertainty and devastating funding cuts, the…
DetailsHow Black-led community land trusts are connecting Black communities with lost land across Canada
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/chinese-culture/article/3309245/how-torontos-chinatown-fighting-back-against-development-threatens-its-existence
The Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts commissioned Adam Thompson to create of this legal guide for community land trusts navigating the prospect of affordable homeownership. Please note, this guide should be considered legal information, not legal advice. We strongly encourage you to seek legal advice before moving forward.
Detailshttps://www.magazinesocan.ca/features/quand-la-musique-fait-du-bien-le-ccst-obtient-la-premiere-acquisition-despace-communautaire-par-une-fiducie-fonciere-culturelle-au-canada/
What is the Community Resilience Cohort? Launched in March 2024, the Community Resilience Cohort (CRC) is a program that helps new community land trusts (CLTs) grow and secure land for community benefit. Run by the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT), this initiative supports five start-up CLTs led by Black, Indigenous, and People of…
DetailsThe Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts commissioned Fatema Jivaji to create of this legal guide for community land trusts navigating donations of property. Please note, this guide should be considered legal information, not legal advice. We strongly encourage you to seek legal advice before completing a property donation process.
DetailsBack for its second edition, In Soil-darity will next explore an Indigenous-led land trust in Kingston, Ontario as well as a new set of educational resources designed for emerging agricultural land trusts. In Soil-darity is designed to dig deep into the transformative potential of community-owned farmlands. It is a first time collaboration between the Canadian…
DetailsThe Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT) is proud to launch a dedicated page highlighting our commitment to supporting Black-led and Black-serving Community Land Trusts (B3 CLTs) across the country. What you’ll find on the page: Black-Specific Resources – Tools to support community engagement and organizational development. Black CLT Practitioner Group – A space…
Detailshttps://inspiritfoundation.org/insights/purchase-youngplace-building-preserves-arts-cultural-spaces/
The Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT), in partnership with the Balanced Supply of Housing Research Node, is excited to announce the release of foundational research papers on Canadian community land trusts (CLTs). Developed in partnership with leading academics and practitioners across Canada, this six-part series is the first of its kind and provides…
Detailshttps://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-are-land-trusts-the-future-of-canadian-housing/
https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2025/0214/canada-black-land-trust-nova-scotia
Did you know the first community land trust was designed to steward farmland? Since the founding of New Communities in 1969, community land trusts have continued to be successful vehicles for shared farmland stewardship. In Soil-darity is designed to dig deep into the transformative potential of community-owned farmlands. It is a first time collaboration between…
Detailshttps://yukon.ca/en/news/government-yukon-supporting-northern-community-land-trust-society-build-permanently-affordable-housing-whitehorse
https://www.guelphtoday.com/success/preserving-community-in-guelphs-junction-neighbourhood-9743438
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024HOUS0171-001469
On June 10th 2024, the CNCLT held a “Lunch and Learn” presentation with Dr. Alan Walks to answer CNCLT members’ questions about how governments subsidize home ownership. “Subsidized housing,” a term that is often stigmatized, conjures affordable and supportive rental housing. Dr. Walks convincingly showed that the term should be equally applied to home ownership.…
DetailsNominations for the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts’ Board of Directors are currently open until October 12, 2024. ROLE The CNCLT Board of Directors provides a governance and oversight role for the growing network. Serving as a Director is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of the fledgling network and overall…
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