Explore our FAQ list for insights and answers.

Community Land Trust (CLT) homebuyers purchase only the house and enter into a long term agreement to lease the land from the community land trust. CLTs make homeownership affordable for today’s homebuyers as well as for future generations of homebuyers. By taking the cost of the land out of the real estate transaction, CLT homes are more affordable than houses on the open real estate market. A 99-year ground lease with the CLT is signed for the use of the land.

Our homes are priced to be attainable for households making at or below 120% of the area median income (AMI) for Fort Worth.

Because the CLT owns the land and the homeowner owns the home, both the CLT and homeowner sign a ground lease that defines their roles and responsibilities. The ground lease allows the homeowner secure, long-term rights to use the land. CLT homeowners have exclusive use of the land, and they have full responsibility of the property. 

When a CLT homeowner wants to move or sell their home, they must first contact the CLT for approval. The home can be sold directly to an income-qualified buyer, sold back to the CLT, or given to the children or other qualified heirs of the homeowner. The ground lease provides a resale formula that is used to determine the resale price.

Yes, in the ground lease it explains that the home can be heir to descendants. This is not a substitute for proper estate planning, like wills or power of attorney.

Yes, the goal of a CLT is to balance the ability to capitalize on the benefits of traditional homeownership with the lasting attainability for the next homeowner. The homeowner will receive all of the money that they personally contributed towards the down-payment, their equity, plus a portion of the appreciated value of the home, according to the agreed upon resale formula.

The resale formula preserves the attainability for the next family who will buy the CLT house. Essentially, by agreeing to the resale formula, CLT homebuyers are agreeing to help another family purchase a home in the same way that they were helped in purchasing their home.

The CLT homeowner pays all the taxes associated with the house. 

Yes, the CLT model has support of two of the nation's mortgage enterprises, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. The CLT model is also supported by local lenders that keep the mortgages in their portfolios.

Similarities: 

• The homeowner has a mortgage with a bank
• The homeowner accumulates equity
• The homeowner pays property taxes
• The homeowner can make approved alterations and improvements

Differences: 

• The purchase price is lower because the land is not purchased by the homeowner
• The CLT owns the land, the homeowner leases the land
• If the homeowner chooses to sell their home, the CLT will calculate a resale to ensure that low and moderate income families will benefit 

To ensure applicants meet the program goals and regulatory requirements, an applicant household must meet all the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a home:

• Income Qualified - Below 120% AMI for Fort Worth
• Have completed an approved homebuyer education course
• Able to demonstrate mortgage readiness and secure financing

1. Attend an introductory workshop presented by CLT Staff
2. Attend an approved homebuyer education class
3. Once selected, obtain financing from a qualified lender

CLT staff will work with you at every stage of the process to inform you of your application status and next steps. 

The City of Fort Worth offers down payment assistance. For more information about their program and to see if you qualify, go to:

Homebuyer Assistance Program