Events

Building Community with Community Land Trusts

Community Land Trusts of Connecticut

Hosted By

Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations that help preserve housing affordability in rural, suburban, and urban communities. During this discussion, leaders from community land trusts in Connecticut will share real-world examples of in action—ranging from urban multi-unit developments to suburban scattered-site homes and rural projects. Participants will gain insights into how CLTs operate, their relationships with local governments, and how they support residents’ long-term success through training, collaboration, and equitable land stewardship. This webinar is part of a three-part series, Building Community with Community Land Trusts.

Building Community with Community Land Trusts

-Community Land Trusts 101
December 11, 2025

-Community Land Trusts of Connecticut 
January 14, 2026

-Managing Community Land Trusts
February 11, 2026 

Community land trusts acquire and steward land and ensure the homes on the land remain affordable. They separate the ownership of land from the ownership of the homes or buildings, allowing people to purchase homes at lower prices while the CLT retains ownership of the land. This model helps prevent displacement, supports neighborhood stability, combats gentrification, and promotes development.

This webinar series is designed for those already involved with community land trusts, as well as those who are just beginning to explore the concept. The series will cover the basics of CLTs, explore how to manage them, examine different CLT models, and empower attendees to implement them. These webinars are hosted by the Housing For All Alliance, a statewide network of neighbors, resident leaders and organizations working together to build local power and advance housing justice in Connecticut. 

Speakers

  • John Harney President

    Salisbury Housing Trust

  • Alex Kolokotronis Director

    Naugatuck Valley Project

  • Mirna Martinez Executive Director

    Southeastern Connecticut Community Land Trust

  • Rachel Merva (Moderator) Board Member

    Beth-El Center

Mirna Martinez Headshot

Mirna Martínez, Executive Director, Southeastern Connecticut Community Land Trust

Mirna brings 20 years of community advocacy experience to her role as Executive Director of the Southeastern Connecticut Community Land Trust. Her background includes teaching, serving on the New London Board of Education, and collaborating with local nonprofits and coalitions. Passionate about equity and social justice, Mirna is dedicated to advancing the CLT’s mission of accessible homeownership and community land stewardship. She looks forward to building strong relationships and fostering open communication to support the organization’s future growth.

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Hosted in partnership with

  • Naugatuck Valley Project

    Founded in 1983, the Naugatuck Valley Project is a network of 23 dues-paying congregations, local labor unions, housing cooperatives, and ethnic organizations.  The NVP’s leaders and members work together to build power to affect systemic change for the improvement of their local communities. The NVP builds its power through intentional relationship building, leadership training, issue exploration, and direct-action activities. 

  • All In Alliances

    All In is a network of grassroots alliances in a growing number of Connecticut cities and towns, where neighbors work together across their differences to make it possible for everyone to have a home, food, and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. 

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You know what needs to change. We can help you make it happen.

The Center for Housing Opportunity convenes a vast partner network of engaged residents and organizations to work towards a better housing future in Connecticut. Join our efforts to preserve, produce, and protect housing that is affordable for all.

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