Fair Housing & Community Development

Another option for increasing public ownership of private properties is the use of community land trusts (CLTs). These organizations are typically nonprofit entities that acquire land and convey the land to building owners through a ground lease.[1] By owning the land, CLTs ensure that properties sited on the land are affordable in perpetuity. Historically, private groups … [Read more...] about Public or Community Control of Rental Housing Policy Brief No. 3: Community Land Trusts and Other Public Ownership Vehicles (PRRAC, October 2020)

The King County Housing Authority (KCHA) in Washington State has used eminent domain as part of its affordable housing strategy. Under Washington State law, public housing authorities are authorized to use eminent domain to acquire housing projects within their area of operation.[1] KCHA has used the threat of eminent domain to encourage owners to sell affordable multifamily … [Read more...] about Public or Community Control of Rental Housing Policy Brief No. 2: Using Eminent Domain to Acquire Private Rental Housing – Recent Examples (PRRAC, October 2020)

The District of Columbia’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) was enacted in 1980 and is designed to help tenants stay in their homes if an owner decides to sell their rental property. Under TOPA, tenants in multi-family buildings with 5 or more units have the right of first refusal. Under this provision, the owner of a rental property must offer tenants the option to … [Read more...] about Public or Community Control of Rental Housing Policy Brief No. 1: Right of First Refusal – Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Acts (PRRAC, October 2020)