About Us – Douglass Community Land Trust

Our Values

RIGHT TO STAY AND THRIVE

Residents and small businesses of the District are our greatest strength and have the right to remain and thrive here. We believe in celebrating and preserving the culture and identity of all District residents. As an inherently anti-displacement organization, the Douglass CLT prioritizes benefit to low-income, existing residents, and welcomes development that does the same.

COMMUNITY CONTROL

Power and decision-making belong in the hands of the community. The Douglass CLT will steward resident-controlled housing on community-owned land. We will create multiple pathways for engagement and participation.

PERMANENT AFFORDABILITY FOR HOUSING

As a matter of simple equity, quality housing should always be accessible to everyone. The Douglass CLT will preserve and increase the number of homes, both rental and home-ownership, that are permanently affordable for current and future generations of District residents.

HIGH QUALITY, HEALTHY HOUSING

Housing is a proven determinant of health. Buildings must be free of physical and/ or chemical hazards such as lead and mold. Healthy housing means embracing the environment as an asset and protecting the air we and our children breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. We aim to maximize sustainable building and operating practices benefitting the residents, the community, and the environment.

INDIVIDUAL / FAMILY ASSET BUILDING

Building financial assets for individuals and families is just as critical. The Douglass CLT will not only create opportunities for equity-building through homeownership, but also by creating savings opportunities through reduced rent costs and cost-savings via green sustainable practices. Additionally, Douglass CLT will partner with other organizations doing asset building work.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

The Douglass CLT will run a transparent and effective operation that is financially sound, ensuring it will be in place to steward the programs and public resources, manage the assets, and forge intentional partnerships in perpetuity.

Our Staff

Executive Director

Director of Equity and Sustainability

Director of Stewardship

Accountant / Consultant

Engagement & Capacity Building Manager

Our Origins

Douglass CLT was incorporated September 17, 2019, as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization operating across the Douglass Commonwealth/District of Columbia, and initially focused east of the Anacostia River.

Establishment of a community-controlled land trust was a key recommendation of the 11th Street Bridge Park’s Equitable Development Plan, and City First Homes (CFH) initially incubated the CLT initiative. Both entities agreed from the start that any newly formed community land trust would be completely independent and community controlled.

In 2017, more than two dozen community residents, most hailing from neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, formed an Advisory Committee to turn the gem of a community land trust idea into a community-driven nonprofit reality. This Committee sought additional input from neighbors and other community members, oversaw the development of a CLT business plan, sought additional input from neighbors and other community members. Based on this input, the Committee selected the name “Douglass Community Land Trust” to honor the famed orator, writer, activist and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and reflect the aim to serve the entire Douglass Commonwealth (District of Columbia). The Douglass CLT Advisory Committee worked with 11th St. Bridge Park and CFH to get seed funding, hired a founding executive director, and engaged in a deliberative process of crafting the governance infrastructure required to establish itself as an independent, community-driven organization, including bylaws development and operational policies. Members built their knowledge base around community land trusts as well as leadership and undertook subcommittee work related to business planning, staff hiring, property acquisition and ground lease development. This group converted into a board of directors with the incorporation, and elected officers.

Equitable Development Plan: The Douglass CLT is a key recommendation of the 11th Street Bridge Park’s Equitable Development Plan –developed via 200+ resident meetings to outline strategies to ensure local residents can stay and thrive in place. The 11th St Bridge Park, an initiative of the Ward 8 nonprofit Building Bridges Across the River, is DC’s first elevated public park and is itself designed to serve as an anchor for equitable and inclusive economic development – development that provides opportunities for all residents regardless of income and demography. READ the Equitable Development Plan here and strategies around Housing, Small Business, Workforce Training, and Arts and Culture.

City First Homes (CFH), another DC-based nonprofit, which was operating a shared equity, permanent affordability mortgage program, initially incubated the CLT initiative in partnership with the 11^th Street Bridge Park until Douglass CLT spun off as an independent organization.