Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: A strategy for affordability

[Fred H Olson (fholson]

Richard, thanks for the pointer to
The Community Land Trust Reader
see http://j.mp/cJZrpy

( which goes to:
http://www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/1776_New-Book-Announcement--The-Community-Land-Trust-Reader
 )

Community Land Trusts (CLT) have been discussed on Cohousing-L
from time to time.

But things have changed.  One of the main problems with CLT's is that
since CLT's are few in number in the US, moving from one to another
can be difficult. This may result in having to go back into the
regular housing market where housing prices may have inflated leaving
one's equity short since CLTs limit price inflation.  But the housing
market meltdown has clearly shown that planning on housing inflation
can be problematic too.

I too find Brian's reply odd.  Particularly his example:

> used travel trailer for a few thousand dollars, and park it in a
> friend's suburban backyard for perhaps nothing.

However I do sort of agree with his conclusion:

> If low and moderate income folks are having trouble affording a
> house, the problem is NOT the cost of building it.

A main problem is the market that, till recently, pushes prices
very high in many places.  It bewilders me how people afford housing
prices in some places.  This is what CLT's address.

Fred  who has lived in the same house for 33 years, one strategy
      is to stay in the same place for a long time.

--
YEA! (& boo) 3/23/10 Health Care Reform Passed! See my Blog entry.
Fred H. Olson  Minneapolis,MN 55411  USA        (near north Mpls)
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