Chase Hoskins
Contributing Writer
The Webster Groves Community Land Trust (WGCLT) uses funds to purchase homes in Webster Groves and then lease them to qualified buyers, building “modest equity” through a resale formula that caps resale value.
The community land trust model is a mechanism for obtaining affordable housing. Approximately 160 Community Land Trusts operate in every region of the country, according to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
A community land trust is a nonprofit organization that owns land and ensures it is used for affordable housing or community benefits. Residents can buy or rent homes on the land, but the trust keeps ownership of the land to keep housing affordable.
Executive director of the WGCLT, Farrell Carfield, said, “The initial inspiration (for the community land trust) came from three community leaders who were listening to neighbors worry about the high cost of homeownership in our area. Two of those individuals ended up in local office — Mayor Laura Arnold and Councilwoman Karen Alexander. The third, Farrell Carfield, is now the Executive Director of the WGCLT.”
According to a Webster-Kirkwood Times article, “a gift of $300,000 from an anonymous retired couple, a teacher and a social worker, enabled WGCLT to purchase its first home.”
Carfield said the community land trust “was founded in 2023, but we started working on it in 2021.”
“We had a community work day, with thirty people involved either by directly showing up and painting and pulling weeds, or by sharing supplies so the organization can dedicate every dollar to benefit affordable homeownership,” Carfield said.
Supporting the WGCLT helps address local housing issues. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, “Research shows that increasing access to affordable housing is the most cost-effective strategy for reducing childhood poverty and increasing economic mobility in the United States.” By investing in these initiatives, Webster Groves can create a more inclusive environment where families have the opportunity to thrive and stay long-term.
Information on becoming a homeowner can be found on the “Become a Homeowner” page on the WGCLT website.
Help the WGCLT by following them on social media, volunteering, or finding moderate-income families to apply. To learn more or get involved, contact the WGCLT at hello@webstergrovesclt.org.
