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Advisory board discusses forming a community land trust as tool for perpetual affordability
Summary
Teresa Jones reported the Walton County advisory board applied for 501(c)(3) status for a Community Land Trust and urged the board to consider CLTs as a long-term strategy; planning staff cautioned the county’s comp plan and mapping changes should be considered in CLT siting and public outreach.
Teresa Jones told the Walton County Affordable Housing Advisory Board that the group submitted paperwork on Oct. 23 to pursue 501(c)(3) status for a Community Land Trust (CLT) and that she is working with Florida Housing to develop CLT strategies if legislative funding increases.
“It’s a very hot topic and a lot of counties are moving towards that model so that we can have permanent, structures, with perpetual affordable housing,” Jones said. She said the CLT approach does not require donated public land and can use a mix of tools to keep homes affordable indefinitely.
Barbara Marrano, an attendee, urged the board to consider county plan and zoning changes before placing land into a CLT. She told the board that consultants working on a county comprehensive-plan update have identified future land-use maps and conservation areas, and she said the timing of comp‑plan changes should factor into any CLT land strategy.
Planning staff (Steven) confirmed the planning office is aware of development applicants who have indicated future affordable components on their master plans but said those statements were not approvals and that the county has not received applications tied to those promises. He recommended ensuring public input and comp‑plan alignment when considering CLT acquisitions.
Teresa Jones clarified to the board that a CLT “does not mean that the land put in there is donated, or public land” and that, while donated or public land can help, CLTs can also acquire land through other means with sufficient subsidy.
Ending: Board members agreed there was merit in studying a CLT strategy; staff will continue coordination with Florida Housing and planning to develop options for the advisory board to consider, including public-engagement steps and potential funding sources.
