The People’s Community Land Trust (PCLT) is a new endeavor anchored by three partner organizations: The Guild, Housing Justice League, and the American Friends Service Committee.

Conceived as an alternative to increasing corporate control of Atlanta’s housing stock, the PCLT aims to remove housing from the speculative market and provide stable, affordable housing options for Atlanta-area households at risk of displacement. We seek to create housing options that are controlled by the community and stewarded by the residents that live in them.

Although Community Land Trusts have traditionally focused on permanently affordable homeownership, CLTs are increasingly acquiring and preserving of presently affordable rental properties. These properties are often targeted by investors who seek to increase the rents, often resulting in high rates of displacement among low and moderate income renters in Atlanta. Georgia’s lack of renter protections, including rent control and just cause eviction policies, often allows these practices to occur unabated.

The strategic partnership of the PCLT signifies a commitment to addressing the myriad challenges low and moderate-income residents face in Atlanta, and of the growing, strengthening housing ecosystem in the city. Currently, there are two properties in the trust.