Building Community Wealth with Community Land Trusts

An Innovative Cities Lecture

Community land trusts (CLTs) are emerging as one of the most effective tools for creating permanently affordable homeownership while building long-term community wealth. This session provides an overview of the community land trust model, including how nonprofit organizations, municipalities, financial institutions, and for-profit developers can partner to expand affordable housing opportunities.

Speakers will describe the legal framework, stewardship responsibilities, legislative considerations, and financing strategies that support CLTs at neighborhood, municipal, and regional scales. Case studies from Milwaukee and Madison will demonstrate how community land trusts create predictable housing costs, preserve affordability for future generations, and strengthen neighborhoods through shared equity and long-term stewardship. The presentation will include lessons learned and highlight innovative homeownership initiatives, including the Homebuyer Choice Pilot Program, and discuss how partnerships and policy can increase access to affordable housing while creating lasting community assets.

Biographies

Aaron Foley is a Shareholder with the law firm of von Briesen & Roper, s.c. He focuses his legal practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, real estate and advising nonprofit organizations. Specifically, he primarily represents individuals and families through the development of a comprehensive estate plan including creating trusts, preparing powers of attorney and drafting corporate documents and deeds to transfer real estate to descendants. Aaron serves as a board member for Groundwork Milwaukee and is a member of the Milwaukee Community Land Trust stewardship committee. Aaron and his wife Megan are raising three children and enjoy gardening, camping and being outside!

Olivia R. Williams earned her PhD in Geography from Florida State University in 2017, focusing on community land trusts (CLTs). Since 2014, she has researched, written, and published extensively on community land trusts, with work appearing in Urban Geography, Antipode, Journal of Urban Affairs, and Housing Studies. She served as Executive Director of Madison Area Community Land Trust from 2020 to 2025, founded the Wisconsin CLT Network in 2021, and is now an Associate at Burlington Associates, providing technical assistance to CLTs in the US.

Lamont Davis is the Executive Director of Milwaukee Community Land Trust (MCLT), a nonprofit organization that creates permanently affordable homeownership opportunities to strengthen neighborhoods and build community wealth. MCLT partners with neighborhood-based organizations, nonprofit and for-profit developers, municipalities, and community stakeholders to acquire, rehabilitate, and steward homes for income-qualified buyers. Using the Community Land Trust model, MCLT ensures homes remain affordable for future generations while allowing homeowners to build equity. Through collaboration, stewardship, and community engagement, MCLT expands access to homeownership, prevents displacement, and supports long-term neighborhood stability.

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