The Oakland CLT is Growing

The Oakland Community Land Trust (CLT), a program of OPDC, is a nonprofit, community-supporting system of land ownership to promote equitable development and neighborhood stabilization. This strategy provides permanently affordable homeownership opportunities for low- to moderate-income households and ensures homes are available for regular homeowners, not just investors.

This past year, we secured more future Oakland CLT homes—13 properties in total. Nine of those properties were part of one significant acquisition, the Fellner portfolio, a sale that we negotiated directly with the owners. One of the sellers, Kim Fellner, has a long history in the neighborhood, including helping to launch and lead Peoples Oakland in 1970. We grew the number of CLT leases by three—two new owners and one senior homeowner.

Sheila Wilson was renting in West Oakland and heard about the CLT through her involvement in neighborhood meetings and events. The affordability of the CLT appealed to her, and she was able to purchase a home in West Oakland—her nephews didn’t even have to change bus stops.

“The CLT is a pay-it-forward model,” said Wilson, who is now a part of the Oakland CLT Stewardship Committee. “It’s a great opportunity for my family.” 

Jessica Collins had been living with her family in Greenfield for a year and a half before moving into her Oakland CLT home. Her children were able to attend the same school after the move.

“We like the neighborhood attractions,” said Collins. “Both my boys did summer programs at the Natural History Museum. The neighbors are very friendly.”

CLTs provide affordability and narrow the field of buyers, said Collins. “CLT homes are for people looking for a house to live in—not for those trying to make money.”

OPDC builds and refurbishes homes for use in the Oakland CLT with this demographic in mind. For example, we install upgraded amenities in former rental properties to make them attractive to homebuyers. The goal is to make people feel at home in Oakland.

Collins enjoys sitting out on her front porch, where she can sip coffee and listen to the birds. “When a house fits what a family needs, it helps them to rise a little higher.”

One family and one home at a time, the Oakland CLT is assuring the viability of our diverse, unique, and historic residential neighborhoods for all who live here now and in the future.