Richmond LAND is Contra Costa’s First Community Land Trust

Why we adopted the community land trust model

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) have over 50 years of legacy in building community-rooted housing and development. CLTs align with our values: deep democracy, mutual benefit, and collective ownership.

Instead of treating land as a commodity, CLTs treat it as a commons — centering long-term community health, wealth, and well-being.

We’re part of a growing national movement that includes visionary CLTs like New Communities Inc., the civil rights-era origin of this model.

How the Model Supports Collaboration

In a CLT, the land is held in trust, while buildings and improvements can be owned by residents, nonprofits, small businesses, or co-ops.

This structure creates opportunities for shared ownership, long-term affordability, and intentional use — shaped by community priorities.

It’s a tool to move from extraction to collective impact.