Community Land Trusts: A Bold Solution to Displacement and Gentrification

Gentrification has been a growing force in many historically Black communities across the U.S., bringing both economic development and displacement. As property values rise, long-time residents find themselves priced out of the very neighborhoods they’ve helped build. Families are forced to move, cultural landmarks disappear, and the soul of the community is often lost.

But what if there was a way to develop our neighborhoods while keeping families in their homes? A way to invest in Black communities without pushing people out?

This is where Community Land Trusts (CLTs) come in—a powerful, community-driven solution to housing affordability and stability. And at Braveheart Network, we are taking action to implement CLTs as part of our long-term strategy to prevent displacement and empower historically Black neighborhoods.

What is a Community Land Trust?

A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that acquires and holds land for the benefit of the community, ensuring long-term affordability. The land is owned collectively by the CLT, while individuals or families can purchase homes on the land through long-term leases. This structure prevents speculative real estate investment from driving up prices, keeping housing permanently affordable.

How CLTs Help Fight Displacement and Gentrification

1. Permanently Affordable Housing

   • Unlike traditional homeownership, where rising land values can push prices out of reach, CLTs ensure that homes remain affordable for future generations.

2. Community Ownership & Control

   • The land is owned collectively, allowing residents to have a say in how their neighborhood develops. This means community members—not outside investors—decide what gets built and who benefits.

3. Wealth Building Without Speculation

   • Homeowners in a CLT build equity, but because resale prices are regulated, their homes remain accessible to other working-class families. This prevents the cycle of displacement that often follows gentrification.

4. Protection from Predatory Development

   • CLTs create a buffer against aggressive real estate speculators who buy up properties, evict tenants, and raise rents. By keeping land in community hands, CLTs block predatory practices from taking root.

5. Preserving the Cultural Identity of Communities

   • Black neighborhoods have rich histories, traditions, and cultural landmarks. CLTs ensure that these legacies are not erased by outside development forces.

Braveheart Network’s CLT Initiative

At Braveheart Network, we recognize that real estate development and revitalization should uplift communities, not displace them. That’s why we are actively working to establish a Community Land Trust model in Dallas, starting with zip code 75215—a historically Black community facing rapid gentrification.

Our approach includes:

• Acquiring Land for Community Ownership

  • We are working with local stakeholders, investors, and public partners to secure land and remove it from the speculative market.

• Affordable Homeownership & Rental Programs

  • Our CLT will provide opportunities for families to buy homes at affordable rates while ensuring future affordability. Additionally, we will offer affordable rental housing to protect tenants from rising market prices.

• Business & Commercial Space Development

  • Our CLT will not only focus on housing but also provide commercial space for Black-owned businesses, ensuring that economic development benefits the community rather than outside investors.

• Education & Financial Empowerment

  • We will educate residents on homeownership, financial literacy, and cooperative economics so they can take advantage of the opportunities CLTs provide.

• Policy Advocacy & Legal Support

  • We are advocating for policy changes at the city and state level to secure more support for CLTs and push back against policies that accelerate displacement.

Join the Movement

Braveheart Network is leading the charge in redefining urban development to be by us, for us. If you believe in protecting Black communities from displacement while building pathways to economic empowerment, join us.

• Get Involved: Whether you’re a resident, business owner, or ally, we need your voice and participation.

• Donate: Help us acquire land and develop community-owned properties.

• Spread Awareness: Share this message and educate others about the power of CLTs.

We don’t have to accept displacement as an inevitable part of progress. With Community Land Trusts, we can own our future, protect our communities, and build generational wealth—on our own terms.

Ready to Stand on Business for Our Communities?

Learn more about Braveheart Network’s CLT initiative and get involved today.