Prince George’s County task force hears municipal strategies for community land trusts to preserve affordable homeownership

Bridal Torpy, Consultant, told a Prince George’s County Planning, Zoning and Housing / Economic Development Committee task force meeting that municipal–nonprofit partnerships have been a ‘‘powerful engine’’ for community land trusts (CLTs) and other permanently affordable homeownership programs.

Torpy framed the discussion by saying, “In a time of more of a constraint of federal funding, it seems courageous to be starting a new housing program,” and then reviewed examples and tools local governments have used to create and sustain permanently affordable housing.

The task force heard examples from across the U.S.: Burlington, Vermont’s waterfront redevelopment that targets 25% permanently affordable units on the waterfront and 15% citywide under an inclusionary zoning approach; Des Moines/Polk County’s Central Iowa Community Land Trust startup supported by city and county planning offices; Boston’s Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, which used eminent domain powers for neighborhood stabilization; Albuquerque’s Sawmill redevelopment; and land-bank/CLT hybrids in Central Ohio and Richmond area efforts where nonprofit entities have been designated to receive public property for affordable housing.

Why it matters: Torpy said CLTs and similar shared-equity models preserve affordability over time by keeping public subsidies and donated land working in the community. She described a ‘‘toolbox’’ of municipal actions—land disposition and land banks, city trust funds, negotiated inclusionary zoning or developer community benefits, fee waivers, density bonuses, and partnerships with nonprofits—that jurisdictions can mix to match local market conditions.

Examples and funding sources Torpy cited included low-income housing tax credits, state bonding, ARPA funds placed into trust funds, HOME and CDBG federal programs, donated or bargain-sale land, and development fees and earned income at scale. She said the Champlain Housing Trust model and other long-running CLTs showed how stewardship and resale restrictions can maintain affordability while allowing owner equity gains.

Task force members asked practical questions about local feasibility and capacity. Eric Olsen, County Council District 3, said the county previously found inclusionary zoning difficult given local housing economics and noted staff would revisit a study on the topic; he said, “I love inclusionary zoning,” while adding that market conditions determine if it can work in Prince George’s County. Brian Franklin, deputy director, LISC DC Region, and other members raised capacity concerns for community-based organizations, suggesting the county consider training cohorts or contracting arrangements so local nonprofits can manage shared-equity programs.

Stephanie Prestel (HIP) asked about the ‘‘break‑even’’ point for CLT operations; Torpy said the number varies by structure and pipeline and described her organization’s experience that shared-equity programs began to be self-sustaining as portfolios reached several hundred units, because lease or stewardship fees and development fees accrue at scale.

Decisions and next steps The meeting did not adopt a program design. Torpy offered to work with county staff during August to prepare background materials and a decision timeline so the task force could consider concrete program options when it reconvenes.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Accept the minutes of the previous meeting. Mover: Eric Olsen, County Council District 3. Second: Brian Franklin, deputy director, LISC (DC Region). Outcome: Approved by voice vote; no recorded oppositions or abstentions. (Motion recorded in the transcript at the meeting.) - Motion: Amend the minutes to reflect clarifications provided by Bridal Torpy. Mover: Eric Olsen. Second: Brian Franklin. Outcome: Approved by voice vote; no recorded oppositions or abstentions.

Meeting logistics and follow-up The task force confirmed a next full meeting date for September 3 and discussed whether to meet in August; staff and the consultant agreed to coordinate and to provide background materials and a timeline before the task force resumes detailed decision-making. The meeting record shows participation by several county staff, nonprofit partners and consultants, and attendance by outside observers including Sarah Hunter of the Housing Justice Collective.

The presentation and discussion emphasized that CLTs and related municipal tools can preserve and recycle public subsidies for long-term affordability, but their feasibility and sustainability depend on local market conditions, the size of the housing pipeline, funding sources and nonprofit capacity.