Breaking News – DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Approves Feasibility Study for Countywide Community Land Trust
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved $122,000 to fund a feasibility study to create a DeKalb County Community Land Trust, a critical step toward expanding affordable housing and promoting equitable development across the county.
Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations that acquire and steward land for long-term community benefit. By separating ownership of the land from the ownership of homes built on it, CLTs help stabilize neighborhoods, ensure permanent affordability, and prevent displacement. Homeowners lease the land under their homes at a minimal cost, making homeownership more accessible while keeping housing prices stable for generations.
“Establishing a DeKalb County Community Land Trust represents a bold and forward-thinking investment in the stability and sustainability of our communities,” said Commissioner Michelle Long Spears, Presiding Officer of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners and sponsor of the legislation. “As a proven tool to address the housing crisis, a Community Land Trust will preserve long-term affordability, prevent displacement, and ensure that residents have access to safe, secure housing for generations to come. This initiative reflects our collective commitment to equitable growth and inclusive prosperity. I extend my sincere gratitude to the experts, community partners, and stakeholders whose dedication and collaboration have brought this vision to fruition, strengthening DeKalb County’s ongoing pledge to equity, sustainability, and opportunity for all.”