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Volunteers launch Ashe Community Land Trust to preserve permanently affordable homes
Summary
Local volunteers announced the formation of the Ashe Community Land Trust, a new 501(c)(3) that will use long-term ground leases to keep homes affordable; organizers asked for founding members, land donations and support for a June 5 benefit to fund the first year of operations.
Toby Heisley, a retired chief master sergeant, and Samantha Lafferty told commissioners on May 4 that a new nonprofit, the Ashe Community Land Trust, has formed to preserve long-term housing affordability in Ashe County. The group said it will hold land in trust and use 99-year ground leases so families can buy homes at below-market costs while the land remains under nonprofit stewardship.
"We are a local nonprofit that helps Ashe County workers afford to live here in our community," Heisley said, announcing the CLT's launch and inviting residents to join as founding members. Lafferty, who said she is the CLT president, told the board the organization's 501(c)(3) application was approved in 18 days and stressed that the effort is volunteer-run and intended as a lasting legacy for the county.
Organizers described the CLT's model: the nonprofit retains ownership of land, sells houses on that land to local families under long ground leases, and preserves affordability for future buyers while allowing the current homeowner to build equity. They said the CLT will hold classes to explain the model, seek founding members and accept land donations.
Why it matters: Mounting local housing costs are a common concern in rural counties; the CLT model is meant to keep a supply of affordable homes for working residents and to reduce pressure from outside investors. Organizers asked the commission to note the CLT's formation and to help spread the word about the June 5 inaugural benefit.
The next step: the CLT asked residents and potential donors to join or donate land and said more information is available on its website. Commissioners did not take formal action beyond hearing the announcement.
