{"id":77512,"date":"2024-03-13T08:29:28","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T11:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=77512"},"modified":"2024-03-13T08:29:28","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T11:29:28","slug":"brussels-community-land-trust-guarantees-affordable-housing-for-vulnerable-communities-including-immigrants-and-refugees-and-in-one-of-europes-most-expensive-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=77512","title":{"rendered":"Brussels Community Land Trust Guarantees Affordable Housing For Vulnerable Communities, Including Immigrants and Refugees, and in One of Europe\u2019s Most Expensive Cities"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>
The residents\u2019 General Assembly of the Community Land Trust Brussels (CLTB). Photo: Community Land Trust Brussels (CLTB)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/strong><\/i><\/em><\/i><\/em><\/a><\/h4>\n

This is the latest in a <\/i>series of articles<\/i><\/a> about Community Land Trust (<\/i>CLT<\/i><\/a>) experiences around the world. We selected a few cases based on their potential to inspire others. These examples show how varied CLTs are despite always having the same basic structure: a nonprofit organization made up of residents owns the land in an area, while residents own or rent the homes themselves. Our objective is to present lessons learned from international experiences with CLTs, so we can reflect on how to reach the <\/i>model\u2019s greatest potential in Brazil<\/i><\/a> and overcome challenges faced in other contexts. The example explored in this article is the Brussels Community Land Trust, situated in the capital of <\/i>Belgium<\/i><\/a> in <\/i>Western Europe<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

\"Future<\/a>
Future CLTB resident visits the site before construction begins. Photo: CLTB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Community Land Trust Brussels (CLTB<\/a>) is the first Community Land Trust (CLT) implemented in Continental Europe. It was established in 2012 in the capital of Belgium with the mission of offering the economically vulnerable an opportunity to live in affordable, sustainable, high-quality housing. Currently, CLTB has four residential buildings with a total of 110 units. Four more buildings are currently under construction, adding another 100 units.<\/p>\n

Like many cities around the world, Brussels experienced a severe housing crisis<\/a> in the early 21st century, prompting residents to seek alternative solutions. Upon learning about examples of successful CLTs, a group of activists organized themselves to create a CLT in Belgium. They formed a not-for-profit organization called Platform Community Land Trust Bruxelles <\/em>to present the model to the government. A feasibility study highlighting the CLT\u2019s potential for the region led the local government to support its construction, financing, and implementation. Thus, the organization was renamed Community Land Trust Bruxelles<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The first Brussels CLT building. Photo: Marc Detiffe\/SPRB-DRU<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"CLTB<\/a>
CLTB housing developments in Brussels (complete and those still under development). Photo: CLTB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A year following this organizational restructuring, a three-party Board of Directors<\/a>\u2014equally composed of residents, civil society organizations, and regional authorities\u2014was created to manage the project. Concurrently, another independent organizational structure was formed, called the Foundation of Public Utility \u201cCommunity Land Trust \u2013 Brussels\u201d<\/em> (FUP CLTB). This foundation became the owner and leaser of the area\u2019s land, while CLTB became responsible for the development and management of residential projects on this land. In other words, while FUP CLTB owns the land, CLTB constructs and manages its buildings.<\/p>\n

Only after all this structuring did CLT Brussels become fully operational, in 2012. Soon after, it became regulated through the city’s Regional Housing Code. This regulation enabled the CLT to access a Belgian government subsidy<\/a> worth \u20ac2 million per year (approximately USD$2.1 million) that is utilized in developing new public housing projects. The communities served by the CLT are considerably diverse ethnically, racially, and culturally: over 80% of the CLT\u2019s residents are refugees or other immigrants<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Future<\/a>
Future residents await CLTB units. Photo: CLTB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Architecture<\/a>
Architecture workshop determining further CLTB development. Photo: CLTB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Belgian initiative values \u200b\u200bthe continuous mobilization of residents. The participation of its current and future residents strives to collectively build both the CLT\u2019s dynamics and projects. This active involvement is essential for the success of CLTB. To ensure that it remains permanently accessible for families with limited financial resources, subsidies are provided for home purchases. The homes are allocated among <\/span>prospective buyers<\/span><\/a> approximately two years before delivery. The group of selected families is required, from then on, to participate in regular meetings (trainings, group building activities, participatory workshops, etc.) and are able to buy the homes once the housing is delivered.<\/span><\/p>\n

To fulfill its mission of serving families in economic vulnerability, CLTB members are not permitted to rent out their homes without prior authorization from the board. If they wish to sell their homes, they must do so to individuals already registered to purchase a CLT property. The goal is not to profit or speculate on real estate, but rather to guarantee the right to housing in one of Europe\u2019s most expensive cities<\/a>.<\/p>\n