The Pigeon Palace in San Francisco, a housing complex that operates through a community land trust, is creating permanently affordable housing for low-income residents. The tenants co-manage the building and are currently renovating the space. This model of community land trusts has been gaining popularity in California, with the number of organizations tripling since 2014. The Pigeon Palace is an example of how this model can provide stability and affordability for residents in expensive neighborhoods like the Mission in San Francisco.
California’s community land trusts currently house around 3,500 residents, with most properties consisting of fewer than 10 units. The idea is gaining steam, with support from individuals like billionaire MacKenzie Scott, who donated $20 million to a San Francisco community land trust to expand its portfolio. The model of community land trusts is seen as a cheaper alternative to building new affordable housing units and is being used by various communities, including Indigenous tribes, immigrant neighborhoods, and formerly affordable inland cities.
This innovative solution to affordable housing is providing a sense of security and community for residents like Keith Hennessy, who has lived at the Palace for 22 years. With stability in housing, residents can build families and communities more easily. As the concept of community land trusts continues to grow, it offers a promising solution to address the housing crisis and promote equity in California.
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Photo credit calmatters.org