Resilient Neighborhoods: Community Land Trusts: ‘We’re Rising from the Ashes, and This Is Our Vehicle.’

December 16, 2025

GenesisHOPE, a Detroit nonprofit focused on equity and affordable housing, is establishing the Common Ground Community Land Trust to address gentrification and displacement in neighborhoods like Islandview and the Villages of Detroit. The organization plans to acquire ten vacant lots from the Detroit Land Bank to potentially build permanently affordable single-family homes, where residents purchase houses but lease the land at minimal cost. A seven-member advisory board of community residents, called "the fellows," is currently developing governance documents and learning CLT procedures through consulting support from Burlington Associates and the Detroit Justice Center.

Who is affected

Residents of Islandview, the Villages of Detroit, and nearby neighborhoods
Families at every income level seeking affordable housing options in Detroit
GenesisHOPE organization and its Executive Director Jeanine Hatcher
Seven advisory board members ("the fellows"), including Delores Orr and Toyia Watts
East Village Association and Charlevoix Village Association
Potential future homebuyers in the community land trust
Detroit Land Bank (as the seller of vacant lots)

What action is being taken

GenesisHOPE is working to develop the Common Ground Community Land Trust
The organization is planning to acquire 10 lots from the Detroit Land Bank
A seven-member advisory board is currently learning how to set up a trust with consultant Jeff Washburn from Burlington Associates
The fellows are creating governance documents, by-laws, ground lease agreements, and homebuyer selection criteria
The organization is battling to purchase the vacant lots for development

Why it matters

This initiative matters because it provides a mechanism to create permanently affordable housing in Detroit neighborhoods experiencing gentrification and displacement pressures. The community land trust model ensures that housing remains accessible to families at every income level in perpetuity through restricted ground leases and controlled resale prices. It empowers ordinary community residents to take democratic ownership and control over their neighborhood development, allowing them to make decisions about what gets built, how homes are designed, and who builds them. The model helps preserve affordable housing stock while building stable communities where generations can thrive without being forced to leave due to rising costs.

What's next

GenesisHOPE is considering building single-family housing on the 10 lots once acquired
The advisory board will complete creation of governance documents, by-laws, ground lease agreements, and homebuyer selection criteria that will establish the community land trust

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle