January 2017 Recipient

We are thrilled to announce the recipient of funds from our first meeting!  With 42 members, it was a great success!  We are happy to support the good work the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust is doing in our community.  If you haven't joined River City Givers, we welcome you to complete the commitment form and join us for our April meeting.  All active members are invited to nominate a charity for consideration!

The Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) was formed in November, 2015, based on a best practice model that has been used in more than 40 states since 1992. Community Land Trusts are nonprofit organizations that acquire land parcels with the intention of retaining ownership forever.  Here’s how CLTs work:

• The CLT constructs or rehabilitates houses on the land and then sells the houses to qualified home buyers.
• Because the land cost is not included in the sale price of the house, the house is affordable for home buyers who earn low to moderate incomes, making home ownership possible.
• The CLT structure protects the homeowner’s security, privacy, legacy and equity, while also maintaining the CLT’s interest in preserving affordable housing opportunities in perpetuity. 
• CLTs also offer communities protection against gentrification and blight, and encourage mixed income neighborhoods.

The MWCLT is currently acquiring land and developing plans for its first four homes, with a focus on the Church Hill area.  Funding from the River City Givers will be used for education and outreach to build community support and recruit the CLT’s first home buyers.