Community land trusts (CLTs) are locally-based not-for-profit organisations that own land and property in trust for the benefit of a defined community. Already well-established in the USA, community land trusts work on the basis that housing charges remain affordable but that the land and any subsidies or planning gain remain with the trust to ensure affordability in the long-term. They are increasingly recognised as one possible means of overcoming the widespread problems of social exclusion and unaffordable housing caused by escalating land values in the UK. As well as ensuring long-term affordability, CLTs also encourage active citizenship by giving local people collective control of decisions in relation to land and assets. 

In 2005, BSHF held a Consultation at St George’s House, Windsor Castle to explore how to widen the use of CLTs in the UK and to encourage community engagement and local ownership of community assets, as well as facilitating long-term access to affordable housing.