McMinnville housing committee seeks community land trust to address affordable housing

The McMinnville City Council meeting on March 25, 2025, focused on the ongoing discussions surrounding affordable housing initiatives in the city. A key topic was the exploration of establishing a community land trust, which has been a point of conversation for the affordable housing committee over the past few years.

Council members noted that the housing authority has been investigating the possibility of creating a community land trust in McMinnville. This effort is part of an action plan adopted by the city council previously. The housing authority has also engaged with existing community land trusts across Oregon to understand their structures and operations.

One potential partner mentioned was Proud Ground, a community land trust that has expressed interest in collaborating with McMinnville. However, the implementation of a community land trust in the city is currently hindered by the lack of available land. Council members emphasized that securing land is crucial for moving forward with this initiative.

The discussions highlighted the city's commitment to addressing affordable housing challenges, although concrete steps depend on overcoming land availability issues. The council plans to continue exploring options to facilitate the establishment of a community land trust in McMinnville.