The Council heard a presentation from Executive Director Julius Kimborough, Jr. and Deputy Director Jenga Mwendo of the Crescent City Community Land Trust.
Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit, community-based organizations that own and manage the land on which affordable homes are built. By helping local families access jobs, grow their businesses, and live in affordable housing near areas of significant economic development and opportunity, the Crescent City Community Land Trust is playing an integral role in the long-term recovery and sustainability of the region.
There are currently 258 CLTs (about 9,000 units) in the U.S. Today's presentation detailed the organization's work in implementing the CLT movement in New Orleans and highlighted the flexibility of the CLT approach and how it has been adapted by different groups in different places for different results.
"We've seen community land trusts successfully implemented in other cities and the positive impact they've had," said District "B" Councilmember LaToya Cantrell. "You've done an amazing job getting CLTs off the ground in New Orleans, but we know there's still a lot more work to do and will supplement your efforts in any way we can."
Following the presentation, Councilmember-At-Large Jason Williams presented a proclamation on behalf of the Council to recognize the organization's efforts to develop permanently affordable real estate.