Our Mission: Affordable Housing in Topeka
We will create permanently affordable housing and strengthen neighborhoods. Existing housing stock will be efficiently brought up to living standards, and then sold at below-market rates to families in need, resulting in more owner-occupied homes without displacement or other negative impacts on our neighborhoods.
We need community input to identify critical areas in Topeka and determine the scope of this project.
Our Vision
Many families want to own their own home, but the costs involved are simply too high. We want to create a system where the barrier to entry for home-ownership is lower, while still allowing families to build equity in their homes.
The Community Land Trust model allows for fewer ongoing fundraising burdens, as the land itself is used to sustain operations.
The Topeka Community Land Trust will be formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or as initiatives within existing 501(c)(3) nonprofits, ensuring that as much of funding as possible goes to subsidizing housing.
We are still in the Initial Planning stage. If you live in Topeka, we need your input. We need help identifying the critical areas of Topeka where we can make the biggest impact, as well as determining the scope and other details of the project.
Some details we need to work out include: income and other requirements for homeowners, prices and the general nature of houses to acquire, and potential funding sources.
Our Journey
Follow our progress as we work to establish the Topeka Community Land Trust.
Initial Planning (Current Phase)
Community meetings to discuss the land trust concept and gather input from residents and stakeholders. Establish a steering committee to guide the initiative.
Nonprofit Formation
Establish the legal structure, board of directors, mission & business plan, and obtain 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
Groundwork
Create relationships with established home organizations. In particular: housing counselors, credit unions, realtors or real estate agencies, and home repair specialists.
First Projects & Fundraising
Acquire properties through direct donation and/or raise funds through donations to acquire specific homes to renovate and support. Get the first homeowners into their new homes, returning the sale price to the fund to support future projects.
Build on Our Successes
Use the success of our first projects to build momentum and expand the program. Build public awareness of our organization and build trust in the community that we are a reliable partner in affordable housing. Fundraising will continue to be critical in this phase to expand the program.
Sustainability & Furthering the Mission
Once a critical mass of homeowners are in the program, reliance on external fundraising will be lessened. The primary purpose of fundraising will be to cover administrative overhead or to support specific initiatives. Additional resources can be spent on advocacy, special projects such as community gardens, parks, or other neighborhood improvements, as well as special funds such as a repair fund.
How Land Trusts Work
The Community Land Trust model is designed for sustainability. Our community can reinvest in itself: less reliance on government programs that are threatened every election, and less reliance on fundraising to keep the program running.
Land Ownership
The non-profit Trust permanently owns the land while homeowners purchase and own the buildings on the land.
Affordable Homeownership
Houses are sold below market value, making them accessible to low- and moderate-income families.
Permanent Affordability
When owners sell, a portion of the increased equity goes back to the Trust, so the program can reinvest in the community and provide even more affordable housing.
Ready to Make a Difference?
We are still in the information-gathering stage. If you live in Topeka, we need your input. We need help identifying the critical areas of Topeka where we can make the biggest impact, as well as determining the scope and other details of the project.