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Village begins discussion on municipally supported community land trust to preserve affordable homeownership
Summary
Staff presented the concept of a Skokie Community Land Trust (CLT) as a tool to promote affordable homeownership and housing rehabilitation; the board asked staff to develop proposed ordinance language and public engagement steps. No formal vote was taken; staff will return with draft language and outreach opportunities.
Village staff presented the concept of a municipally supported community land trust aimed at increasing affordable homeownership and rehabbing underutilized properties. The item was introduced by Village Manager John Lockerbie and summarized by Community Development Director Johanna Knighton as part of the village’s housing policy work.
Knighton said a community land trust (CLT) holds land in trust and sells or transfers only the structure to income‑qualified buyers, using resale covenants and formulas to preserve long‑term affordability. She said the CLT can create forced savings (through mortgage principal paydown), allow limited, formulaic appreciation and provide home‑ownership counseling to buyers. The village cited area precedents including Highland Park, Evanston, Northbrook and Lake Forest.
Trustees and members of the public asked questions about eligibility (area median income thresholds), tax impacts and governance. Knighton said the land typically remains in the trust in perpetuity and that the structure (the dwelling) remains taxable. She noted Highland Park’s CLT has managed several dozen properties over many years and that Community Partners for Affordable Housing and SEPA have supported other North Shore communities.
Public commenters and trustees urged the village to consider multifamily units (condos and townhomes) as well as single‑family homes, to prioritize lower AMI bands, and to examine governance models that include resident representation. Several speakers emphasized housing counseling and the potential for tax‑credit mechanisms or other subsidies to help build the CLT’s portfolio.
No ordinance or formal action was taken at the meeting. Staff said they will prepare a work plan with draft ordinance language, governance options and a public‑engagement schedule; trustees requested opportunities for more technical briefings and partnering with organizations experienced in CLT operations.
