(Photo — Members gathering for the Annual Meeting 5/2023)
Currently, we are working with a seller to acquire our next property and your donation would be instrumental in the facilitation of this purchase.
On May 31, we hosted our 5th Annual Meeting at Bates Woods Park in New London. We welcomed many existing members and guests. Food was catered by Saeed’s Market in New London. There were Board Member elections held, welcome back Joanne Sheehan and Sharmaine Gregor, to their next term.
Mission of the SE CT Community Land Trust
The Southeastern Connecticut Community Land Trust (SE CT CLT) is a membership-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that holds land for the development and stewardship of permanently affordable housing, land for food production, green space, and facilities for community organizations. SE CT CLT works to support access to affordable home ownership, advance community development, promote social justice, and further neighborhood revitalization across Southeastern Connecticut.
What is a Community Land Trust?
Community land trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit organizations that provide lasting community assets and permanently affordable housing opportunities for families and communities. Each CLT is governed by a board of CLT residents/lessees, general member representatives, and public representatives. CLTs are committed to the creation of homes that remain permanently affordable, providing successful home ownership opportunities for generations of lower income families. CLTs advance rural and urban agricultural projects, develop commercial spaces to serve local communities, create affordable rental and cooperative housing projects, and conserve land or urban green spaces. There are currently over 225 community land trusts in the United States. Join this rapidly growing movement.
The Need in New London County
Why have a community land trust in southeastern Connecticut? It is a matter of equity, stability, and strengthening local communities by reversing some of the disastrous policies and municipal decisions that have kept mostly poor and BIPOC people from accessing quality housing and home ownership, and that have even recently driven entire neighborhoods out of their homes for little appreciable benefit to the broader public.
Through May and June 2021, student-interns Annika Brown and Jordy Batista from the Connecticut College Summer Civic Engagement Leaders program conducted research into some of the specific alarming housing trends and demographic statistics that clearly demonstrate vast inequities in home ownership and other concerns in New London County and neighboring areas. The products of their research were presented at the Third Annual Membership Meeting in June 2021, and are available here in video and slideshow formats.
Homeownership in New London:
A Timeline of Obstacles to Affordable Homeownership
In addition to Annika Brown’s and Jordy Batista’s research, Connecticut College senior Madison Taylor also composed and delivered a presentation for the SE CT Community Land Trust on April 27, 2022. In conjunction with her senior thesis, Madison’s presentation was on the distant and recent histories of racist policies and other prejudiced barriers to affordable housing in New London, Connecticut and across the United States. The community event was held at the Church of the City in New London, and we had a lively discussion with many personal stories about how discriminatory practices have affected the New London community. We are very grateful that we were able to have this important conversation, and we are excited to continue to build up our CLT community.
Urban & Rural Agriculture
Our mission includes putting land in trust for urban agriculture, green space, as well as supporting permanently affordable farms in Southeastern Connecticut. Our first garden plot is on Ledyard Street in New London. FRESH New London improved the neighborhood by cleaning up the lot and adding a small greenhouse, fruit trees, and a raised bed of garlic.
Community
The Southeastern Connecticut Community Land Trust is a regional organization with local focus. The New London Chapter is the first to activate, and has already acquired and sold their first home to an income-qualifying homeowner. Local chapters seek to support projects and programs that are a priority to the community. There are several ways to be a supporting and active participant. Join the New London Chapter or start a chapter in your community!
Membership Based
We are funded through community gifts, partner organizations, and our members. As a membership-based nonprofit and a community land trust, our members are our reason for being. In addition to supporting the local community, membership also comes with benefits, including eligibility to purchase a SE CT CLT home or other holding. To learn more about the benefits our members enjoy and how to join us, please visit our Membership & Ways to Give page.
Scheduled Meetings
SE CT CLT Board Meetings
Board meetings occur on the third Thursday every two months at 5:30 PM. Meetings are held either on Zoom or in person. To confirm your attendance to the next meeting, please email us at info@sectclt.org. The Board will meet on the following dates:
- January 18, 2024
- March 21, 2024
- April 18, 2024
- May 16, 2024
New London Chapter Meetings
The New London Chapter meetings in person, once a month on the fourth Wednesday at 6:00 PM. To confirm your attendance to the next meeting, please email Community Organizer, Regina Mosley at reginam@sectclt.org. The New London Chapter will meet on the following dates:
- February 28, 2024
- March 27, 2024
- April 24, 2024
- May 22, 2024
SE CT CLT Board of Directors & Staffing
Executive Director
Mirna Martinez
Lessee Representatives
Joanne P. Sheehan — President
Clayton Potter — Homeowner, Treasurer
Membership Representatives
Sharmaine Gregor — Vice President
Jessica Hill
Jon Persson — Secretary
Public Representatives
Reona Dyess
Clare Evento
(Farm Rep — currently vacant)
Staffing
Regina Mosley — Community Organizer
Sky Hall — Bookkeeper