About Housing Land Trust

The mission of the Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County is to increase home ownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income families in Sonoma County while ensuring permanent housing affordability through the use of a land trust model. Our mission is based upon the belief that (1) all working families deserve a home of their own, and (2) communities with homeowners from a broad socio-economic range are the strongest and most vibrant.

Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County (HLTSC) is a private, non profit corporation established in February 2002.

The model used to fulfill our mission is called the Community Land Trust model (CLT). In this model the land trust organization owns real estate in order to provide benefits to its local community - and in particular to make land and housing available to residents who cannot otherwise afford them.

HLTSC provides access to land and housing for people who are otherwise priced out of the housing market. The model employed helps people to purchase homes on affordable terms. The land beneath the homes is then leased to the homeowners through a long-term, 99-year, renewable lease.

A key benefit of HLTSC is the ability to ensure prices stay affordable: When the homeowners decide to move, they can sell their homes. The resale formula is designed to give homeowners a fair return for their investment, while keeping the price affordable for other lower income people. At the time of sale, the homeowner has the benefit of having equity and a possible small gain from the sale of the house.

Testimonial from Housing Land Trust Homeowner

“I believe the importance of being a homeowner is having a future for our children. Petaluma has always been my home and I want my kids to have that same feeling of home. Neighbors are important too because we’re here to stay.”

— Jim-homeowner