World CLT Day 2026

Dear VALE Community,

Happy 2026 World Community Land Trust (CLT) Day!

This spring, housing justice work is growing across the Connecticut River Valley, and the CLT movement is gaining momentum in this place! At VALE, we’re excited to highlight this momentum building in our region, and hope it sparks your own connection to this movement.

CLT Lobby Day… VALE built power and understanding this week at CLT Lobby Day at the statehouse, where the Western Mass CLT contingency – including eight VALE members – showed out strong and met with Western Mass politicians and staffers over the course of the day. Our main policy priorities are 1) Homes for Lasting Affordability (S.2762/H.1576), 2) a local option for the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (S.998/H.1544), 3) a local option for the Real Estate Transfer Fee (S.1937/H.3056), and 4) support for Small Properties Acquisition Funding (SPAF). These policies are vital next steps that would help the CLT movement to flourish in this place. We made important traction advocating for them to our elected representatives, bearing gifts of homemade cookies and houseplants. To join VALE for CLT Lobby Day 2027, please contact emily.stewart@valehousing.org.

Looking for ways to get involved with VALE?

Donate to VALE here and build power around affordable housing and a thriving commons in Western Massachusetts. Consider a monthly or annual recurring donation.
VALE welcomes your volunteer support tabling at community events to grow our membership! If you are interested in volunteering or know of a relevant community event where you’d like to see VALE, please email emily.stewart@valehousing.org.
Much of VALE’s work happens within committees (“circles”) that each specialize in tackling part of VALE’s work. To find out more about these circles, what work they are currently tackling, and learn how to visit or join a circle that interests you, please fill out our onboarding form if you haven’t yet done so or contact emily.stewart@valehousing.org for more information.
Stay tuned for your invitation to VALE’s first annual membership meeting Fall 2026!!!

What is a CLT? A community land trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that owns land permanently on behalf of the local community, while leasing that land long-term (often 99 years) to individuals and cooperatives that own buildings on it. With this ownership structure, as the home value increases, the CLT’s investment in the property (the subsidy) also grows.

What is Valley Alliance for Land Equity? VALE is a membership-based nonprofit organization that permanently safeguards local land and affordable housing for current and future generations, and seeks to scale up the CLT model here in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties. We have three interwoven aims: first, we currently offer technical assistance and networking opportunities that leverage peer support to strengthen the CLT movement here. Second, we will raise subsidy dollars to create permanently-affordable units. Third, we will hold housing, commercial space, and agricultural land to ensure these properties remain accessible and affordable on a long-term basis.

Spotlight on Two VALE Member Organizations! (For info about other VALE member organizations, please visit VALE’s website)

Amherst Community Land Trust: In late April, Governor Maura Healy announced an award of $375,000 in Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC) to Amherst Community Land Trust (ACLT), part of $12.8 million distributed to 52 eligible Community Development Corporations (CDCs). The award is the maximum allotment available, making ACLT one of the top recipients in the state! The CITC program provides a 50% refundable state tax credit that incentivizes donors to contribute funds to CDCs and support organizations. In its first year in the program, ACLT received the maximum allotment of $175,000 for first-time eligible CDCs. In this latest distribution, ACLT garnered the maximum award by demonstrating fundraising prowess with a successful campaign to provide an affordable family home on Fearing St. in Amherst. To make full use of the latest award, ACLT must raise $750,000 in the next three years.

Currently, ACLT is raising funds to help develop a 19th century house at 174 Amity Street into three affordable condominiums. Habitat for Humanity will also build an affordable duplex on the site, yielding five more homeownership opportunities Those wanting to donate to the Amity Street project or to ACLT in general are encouraged to contact ACLT through the website.

Save the date for ACLT’s Summer Potluck!