Pay It Forward Single Family Homeownership

Homeownership that builds equity while keeping homes affordable for future generations

What is a Pay It Forward Home?

A Pay It Forward Home is one that starts out with a lower price and will always be able to be affordable to households with low-to-moderate incomes because it is part of the Douglass Community Land Trust!

Each successive owner chooses to leave part of the increased value in the property, paying it forward so a family like theirs can benefit from it in the future.

How It Works

Douglass CLT partners with mission-driven developers to subsidize below-market homes

Homebuyer purchases the house and leases the land from Douglass CLT

Land Lease + Covenant ensures affordability for low-income households

Resale Formula provides fair equity while keeping the home accessible

How We Keep Homes Affordable

Legal Tools that Lock in Long-Term Affordability

Ground Lease

Used when Douglass CLT owns the land and you own the home.

Deed-Restricted Convenant

Used when the land and home cannot be separated, like in condos.

Building Equity with Confidence

Build equity by paying down your mortgage

Receive credit for approved improvements

Access stewardship and technical assistance

Gain tax benefits through homeownership

Share market gains while keeping the home affordable

Who Can Qualify?

Applicants must meet ALL of the following requirements

First-time homebuyer (no homeownership in past 3 years)
Pre-qualified with a mortgage lender
HPAP Notice of Eligibility (if using that program)
Willing to participate in the Pay It Forward model
Income at or below 80% of Area Median Income
Documented housing need (e.g. overcrowding, unsafe conditions, rent burden)

NOTE: If you plan to use the Home Purchase Assistance Program, you must already have a current HPAP Notice of Eligibility