Interboro Community Land Trust

Overview

Interboro Community Land Trust (Interboro CLT) is a nonprofit organization based in New York City, established to create and sustain permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households. It operates primarily across the five boroughs, focusing on stabilizing communities affected by gentrification and housing unaffordability.

History

Founded in 2017, Interboro CLT emerged from a coalition of four founding organizations: the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, Habitat for Humanity New York City, the Mutual Housing Association of New York, and the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board. This unique collaboration was driven by the recognition of a critical need for affordable housing solutions amidst New York City's ongoing housing crisis.

Mission and Objectives

Interboro's mission is centered around making homeownership accessible to lower-income families, thus enabling them to build equity and wealth over time. The organization aims to combat the adverse effects of gentrification by ensuring that homes remain affordable for future generations. Key objectives include:

• Creating Permanently Affordable Homes: Interboro CLT retains ownership of the land under homes while allowing families to purchase or lease the housing built on it, which is sold at below-market prices.

• Supporting Community Stability: By keeping housing costs manageable, Interboro CLT helps families stay in their neighborhoods, thus preserving community cohesion and diversity.

• Advocating for Policy Change: Interboro CLT actively collaborates with local government and community stakeholders to establish supportive policies for community land trusts and affordable housing initiatives.

Operations and Governance

The land trust operates under a community land trust model, which involves leasing land to homeowners through 99-year renewable ground leases. This model serves to insulate the homes from the speculative real estate market by capping resale prices and maintaining affordability for subsequent buyers.

Interboro CLT is governed by a board that comprises representatives from the founding organizations as well as residents of the community, ensuring that governance reflects the interests and values of those most affected by housing policies.

Current Projects and Impact

As of 2025, Interboro CLT has embarked on several housing projects, with expectations to develop up to 476 new affordable housing units in the coming years. Recent initiatives include:

• Mosaic Project: A 42-unit scattered site development focused on creating cooperative housing in East New York and Bedford-Stuyvesant, targeting households earning between 50-80% of the area median income.

• MacDonough Street Rehabilitation: Support for 17 cooperative units aimed at enhancing their sustainability and affordability in compliance with local emissions regulations.

In February 2025, the organization received $1.4 million in federal funding secured by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to support the development of these projects, emphasizing the critical nature of their work in combating housing instability in New York City.

Conclusion

Interboro Community Land Trust stands as a pioneering model for affordable homeownership in an urban landscape marked by rising costs and displacement. By prioritizing community control and sustainability, Interboro CLT not only provides immediate housing solutions but also fosters long-term community resilience and diversity.