Midwest Community Land Trust Conference Recap

In early October, our Economic Equity attorneys, Mark J Bennett, and Eric Williams, traveled to Minneapolis for the first-ever Midwest Community Land Trust (CLT) Conference. We spoke with Mark about his time at the conference and how it might influence our CLT work here in Detroit.

1. You recently attended the 2024 Midwest Community Land Trust Conference in Minneapolis. This was the first conference of its kind. What is it about the present moment that brought people together to discuss CLTs? Is there a bigger movement for this kind of development?

MJB: The dramatically growing need for affordable housing is driving Community Development Organization (CDO) to find permanent solutions to servicing this need.  24 States were represented at the conference as CLTs do this uniquely.

2. What new or surprising information did you learn about CLTs at the conference?

MJB: The most surprising thing was learning how far behind Detroit and the State of Michigan generally is in having CLT-supportive policies in place which in turn drive funding and land into the CDOs to create and grow CLTs.

3. Obviously, in Detroit, we have a lot of vacant land, but is there a difference in why CLTs are created here vs. in other parts of the Midwest?

MJB: The fundamental issue behind CLTs is to drive land back into the control of communities as is commonplace across the Midwest and most markets where CLTs are taking hold.  The uniqueness of Detroit is the 62,000+ vacant lots owned by the DLBA, as of its report issued in the second quarter of 2024.  This magnitude of land far exceeds any other land bank in the country and presents a unique opportunity to create scale CLTs in the neighborhoods where they are most needed.  Additionally, basic education which DJC is providing at all levels of government, CDOs and with foundations is critical to accomplishing this mission.

A headshot of our staff attorney, Mark J. Bennett in a black suit and blue striped tie
Our Staff Attorney Mark J. Bennett

4. CLTs are just now gaining traction in Detroit; were there any lessons you took from more established CLTs elsewhere that might apply to our work here in the city? 

MJB: Having a deep-rooted Board of Directors with historical ties to the community and  1-2 dedicated full-time staff members is critical to the success of a CLT.  CLTs are not a part-time recreational endeavor.

5. In the near future, we’re going to see the first CLT in Detroit put up property for sale in North Corktown. Was there anything you learned at the conference about things people should consider before purchasing CLT property? Are there CLT-specific considerations vs. other types of property?

MJB: Potential CLT Homebuyers need to understand that they are joining a community which is  significantly subsidizing their housing needs. The homebuyer’s commitment to keeping their home affordable for subsequent buyers is a fundamental aspect of CLT home ownership.

6. Anything else you’d like to share?

CLTs are not new. They are just new to Detroit and there are 300 CLTs active in the US today. Thus, ongoing education and proof by way of the NCNA CLT and other CLTs now in the real estate pre-development state will provide policymakers and CDOs the confidence they need to further grow the CLT Movement.

You can hear Mark speaking more about Community Land Trusts with Detroit Cultivator Community Land Trust founder Jerry Hebron on WDET.