HOMEOWNERSHIP
FOR CRITICAL
WORKERS
In the Ann Arbor area housing market, people struggle to find homes they can afford--especially the critical workers the community relies on every day. But the Ann Arbor Community Land Trust has a different vision—a vision where our community takes charge of its housing destiny. Join us to BUILD THE HOMES WE NEED.
Building a Sustainable, Equitable, Affordable Third Century for Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor's moderate income housing is disappearing . . .
But a community land trust, acting as a nonprofit developer, can build the new homes we need.
​
A2CLT housing will be affordable forever for the critical workers that sustain the city.
Ann Arbor Community Land Trust Principles
Home Ownership
New homes at affordable prices
Eligibility
Critical workers who are essential to the life of the city
Permanent Affordability
Deed restrictions with a fixed rate of appreciation
Lower Costs
Savings on commuting, vehicles, wifi, and energy
Community
Shared stewardship of A2CLT and strong social ties
The Growing Disparity of the Ann Arbor Market for Critical Workers
$100,000 - $350,000
Price range affordable to critical worker households earning $35,000-$120,000 per year
$600,000+
Average Home Price in Ann Arbor Public Schools District
VS
Around the world, Community Land Trusts are being founded by local residents to oversee housing and other assets for the benefit of their communities. Whether you are potential homebuyer or a community supporter, you have a role to play. . . JOIN US!
What is a Community
Land Trust?
A community land trust (CLT) is a local nonprofit that governs property for the benefit of its community, often with a focus on housing affordability. Community land trusts use a "shared equity" model, where they sell homes for below-market prices, and buyers agree that the equity in the home is shared by the CLT. The home has a ground lease or deed restriction that governs its resale to another family at an affordable price.
​
​Community land trusts originated during the civil rights movement when the first CLT, New Communities Inc. was founded in Georgia in 1969. This grassroots effort was led by Charles and Shirley Sherrod and Slater King from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, to secure land and housing for families being evicted due to their civil rights activities. Today, CLTs are used in many communities to promote fair and sustainable housing, keeping neighborhoods strong and inclusive.
Who is Eligible to Buy an A2CLT Home?
A2CLT'S focus is creating local homeownership opportunities for critical workers. Homes near work offer the benefits of lower commuting costs, walking, biking, or busing to work, lower carbon emissions, more free time, and stronger social ties.
​
ELIGIBLE BUYERS
-
have at least one household member who has worked full time in person for the previous 12 months as an employee of one of the anchor institutions below.
-
have household income 30-120% of the area median income (see Zillow listings for income brackets for each home)
-
qualify for a home loan
-
City, County, State, or Federal Agencies
-
University of Michigan
-
Michigan Medicine
-
VA Hospital
-
Ann Arbor Public Schools
-
Ann Arbor District Library
-
Ann Arbor Police Department
-
Ann Arbor Fire Department
-
Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority
-
U.S. Postal Service
-
Early Childhood/Child Care Workers
LOTTERY Buyers will be selected by lottery. The first round will be for eligible buyers whose workplace is within 2 miles of the home location.
​
​
WHAT ABOUT OTHERS WHO WANT TO BUY AFFORDABLE HOMES?
In the future, A2CLT will explore other solutions within Ann Arbor or bordering townships, such as turning duplexes or potential flips into CLT homes, helping homeowners build ADUs for loved ones, assisting groups in building collective housing or eco villages, or aiding tenants who want to buy their buildings.
​
Buy an A2CLT Home
Purchasing a home through a Community Land Trust is more than just buying a house; it's joining a community dedicated to sustainability, affordability, and mutual support. Here's everything you need to know about purchasing an A2CLT home and how eligible buyers can take the first steps toward ownership.
How Can A2CLT Build
New Affordable Homes?
A2CLT's Magic Formula
​​
-
Nonprofit development by A2CLT.
-
Small homes, which used to be the norm.
-
Density allowed by the ADU ordinance and zoning changes, which share the property and land development costs among multiple homes.
-
Grants for new moderate-income housing from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, funded by the state budget.
-
Federal tax credits for energy efficiency, from the Inflation Reduction Act.
-
Housing TIF (Tax Increment Financing) approved by the city and county, to allow the “capture” of increased property taxes from new homes on formerly vacant land
-
Investment from the community--including you!
​​​
