What is a Community Land Trust?

A community land trust is a nonprofit, community-based organization designed to ensure community stewardship of land. It is primarily used to ensure long-term housing affordability by acquiring land and maintaining permanent ownership for low-income families.

Community land trusts help build community wealth by:

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Providing low-income households with the opportunity to build equity through homeownership and ensure they are not displaced due to land speculation and gentrification

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Protecting owners from economic decline

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Being composed of community residents to allow them the possibility of direct, grassroots participation in decision-making and community control of local assets

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Getting involved in a range of community-focused initiatives including homeownership, education programs, commercial development projects, and community greening efforts.

For more information on Community Land Trusts, click here

Guiding Principles

The Burlington Community Land Trust:

is grassroots oriented and Co-led by residents
The Burlington Community Land Trust emphasizes and supports the preservation of existing neighborhoods. It is imperative that the will of the residents of the neighborhood is at the core of decision making, planning, and operation of all features of the organization.
seeks racial equity and racial justice
The Burlington Community Land Trust supports and acts as a tool to advance racial justice and social equity by providing affordable housing options. The Burlington Community Land Trust aims to protect people of color from displacement and provide education on homeownership, credit building, and finance to empower residents that may not have had access to that information before.
provides affordable housing to low income community residents, with particular focus on neighborhoods with low opportunity index scores
The Burlington Community Land Trust will provide long-term housing opportunities for low income Morrowtown (or community) residents. Burlington Community Land Trust applicants (clients) will receive the tools to succeed, through education and assistance in credit building, financial management, and assistance with the transition from renting to homeownership.
works to promote relationship-building and community development across the city of Burlington
In our work, the Burlington Community Land Trust will prioritize building relationships among stakeholders, including local government, faith communities, industry, non-profits, activists and citizens. A primary goal of the Burlington Community Land Trust is to support local neighborhoods as their residents develop and articulate their visions for a thriving community. Thriving communities will help strengthen our city as we work together to support traditionally under-resourced neighborhoods in Burlington, NC.
promotes environmental sustainability in Community Land Trust neighborhoods
In our work, the Burlington Community Land Trust is committed to mitigating environmental hazards both in the housing stock and in the local environment. Attention to sustainability will promote healthier houses and yards that provide safer spaces for children and families to grow and thrive. Additionally, sustainable communities need accessible green spaces, including community gardens, where neighbors can gather to visit, talk, build relationships and where children can play.

Meet Our Board

Shineece L. Sellars, Board Chair

  • Executive Director of the African-American Cultural Arts & History Center, Burlington, NC

Veronica Revels, Board Vice Chair

  • CEO, Burlington Housing Authority (BHA)

Derek Clark, Board Secretary

  • Family & Community Services Specialist
  • Morrowtown Community Group, Burlington, NC

Kent Byrd, Board Treasurer

  • Retired Administrator, Alamance-Burlington School System, Burlington, NC

    Dr. Ronald Lowell Shive, Board Member

    • Retired Sr. Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Burlington NC

    Tony Williams, Board Member

    • Retired, United States Air Force, Chief Master Sergeant
    • Morrowtown Community Group Board Member

    Randy Williams, Board Member

    • Vice-President/Associate Provost for Inclusive Excellence
    • Associate Professor of Education, Elon University

    Kathy Hykes, Board Member

    • Councilmember, Burlington City Council, Burlington, NC

    Lydia Roann Jones, Board Member

    • Co-Founder & Chair of the Morrowtown Community Group Burlington, NC

    Eddie Gant, Board Member

    • Executive, Glen Raven Inc., Burlington, NC

      Chloe L. Enoch, Board Member

      • Real Estate Broker, Keller-Williams Central, Burlington, NC

        David Richardson, Board Member

        • Senior Vice President, Office Leader. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc.  High Point, N.C. 

          Lisa Stewart, Board Member

          • MorrowTown Community Group Vice Chair

            Steve Matthews, Board Member

            • Retired Executive, Walmart Inc
              If you are interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors please fill out the application.
              Board of Directors Application