Property taxes and community land trusts: A middle ground

This Note explores the challenge of maintaining the affordability of homes situated on CLT land while ensuring that schools and other taxpayerfunded social services do not suffer in communities with a significant CLT presence. Part I outlines the typical features and goals of CLTs in the context of affordable housing. Part II elucidates the impact rising property taxes can have on the affordability of CLT land, especially in gentrifying areas. Part III examines the range of approaches states and municipalities take when assessing the value of CLT land and begins to explore the effects of these approaches on municipal revenue. Part IV proposes applying a new tax structure that will temper the negative ramifications of both extremes discussed in the preceding parts of the Note and briefly concludes.