New Interactive Map Showcases NYC’s Growing Community Land Trust Movement

Immersive Online Tool Lets New Yorkers Explore 19 CLTs Across Five Boroughs Advancing Deeply Affordable, Community-Controlled Land & Housing

New York, NY – RealEstateRama – On Wednesday, New Economy Project released the NYC Community Land Trust (CLT) Map, an interactive tool highlighting New York City’s growing community land trust (CLT) movement. The digital map features detailed profiles of 19 CLTs, including:

• An overview of their history, mission, and communities served;
• Projects in CLT stewardship, from deeply affordable housing to commercial and community spaces; and
• Links to learn more and get involved.

CLTs are community-controlled nonprofits that remove land and housing from the speculative market, stewarding it for the public good.

New Economy Project produced the map with partners in the New York City Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI), a coalition it co-founded that has propelled the CLT movement across NYC’s five boroughs. NYCCLI is advancing CLTs to bring land, housing and neighborhood development into community control and to tackle root causes of homelessness and displacement. The coalition has spearheaded a bold movement to democratize land ownership as a matter of racial, economic, and environmental justice.

New Economy Project was pleased to partner with F.Y. Eye on the map’s technical design.

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“With our coalition partners in the NYC Community Land Initiative, we’ve helped put CLTs on the map in New York City—now both literally and figuratively,” said Deyanira Del Rio, Executive Director of New Economy Project. “Over the last decade, the CLT movement has expanded dramatically to address New York’s affordability crisis, and this map will serve as a dynamic resource, showcasing its continued growth as more groups bring land and housing into community and resident control.”

“We’re thrilled to highlight the growth of CLTs across New York City,” said Brianna Soleyn, a board member of the East New York Community Land Trust. “Last year, East New York CLT put in the work to organize residents and donors to directly purchase our first building, which was neglected by its former owner. We look forward to seeing other CLTs pursue acquisitions like these, to ensure buildings are kept affordable and under tenant control. These acquisitions are proven to work and directly improve New Yorkers’ lives.”

“The CLT movement is growing rapidly,” said Valerio Orselli, Project Director of This Land Is Ours CLT. “This Land Is Ours CLT is working on several new construction projects, and all will be deeply affordable, including the St. Emeric Church site. On the East 5th St. NYPD Parking Lot, we plan to develop upwards of one hundred apartments for seniors and disabled people. The site has been designated for low-income housing, and we have secured over 600 signatures in support of our project from our Lower East Side community as well as the overwhelming support of Community Board 3.”

“The NWBCCC and Bronx CLT are demonstrating the power of community-driven development, providing deeply and permanently affordable housing through our new construction and preservation projects,” said Todd Baker, Community Development Project Manager at Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC). “This interactive map provides New Yorkers across the five boroughs with a user-friendly tool to learn about the community-driven projects in their own neighborhoods.”

“More corners of the city are looking to CLTs for the creation and preservation of permanently affordable housing,” said Amber Clinkscales, Board Chair of ReAL Edgemere Community Land Trust. “We’re happy this interactive map can highlight the work that grassroots organizations have been doing to address affordability and environmental justice issues throughout the city.”

“Western Queens CLT is advocating for deeply affordable cultural, working and community space in a large city-owned building on the Long Island City waterfront” said Jenny Dubnau, Board Co-chair of Western Queens Community Land Trust. We‘re honored to be a part of this CLT map, which will provide communities with a resource to organize not only for deeply affordable housing, but for commercial space and other community needs.”

“East Harlem El Barrio Community Land Trust is a powerful testament to community organizing and the resilience of the people,” says Rosa Custodio, President of The Board of East Harlem/ El Barrio CLT and a lifelong East Harlem resident. “Having three properties in historic East Harlem and one in Central Harlem, providing affordable housing amidst the forces of gentrification, places stars on the map for the community land trust movement. It shows what is possible when communities take control of our futures.”

“F.Y. Eye was honored to assist the New Economy Project in the technical design of its new Community Land Trust Map – a valuable resource that highlights the transformative impact of CLTs citywide,” explained Christina Daigneault, Executive Director of F.Y. Eye, a nonprofit social impact media organization. “This project was made possible by NYC Community Land Initiative members who provided community data and stories that bring the map to life. This new tool will empower policymakers, urban planners, housing advocates, and everyday New Yorkers alike to drive meaningful change for a more just and inclusive city.”

Contact: Deyanira Del Río,