Community Land Trusts (CLT)

A CLT is a nonprofit organization that creates long-term affordable homeownership. CLTs create opportunities for people with low incomes to own a home while they lease the land from the CLT.

View the City Council adopted designation policy:

CLT Designation Policy(PDF, 329KB)

Benefits of a CLT Designation

CLTs in Texas are eligible for cost-saving property tax appraisal methodology if they get a designation from the city they are in. A designation means that:

  • Homeowners in the CLT have their property appraised according to their ground lease terms.
  • The CLT Organization itself may be eligible for a 50% city tax exemption (additional requirements apply).

CLT Affordability Requirements

CLTs must follow Local Government Code's Section 373B.006 CLT affordability requirements:

  • Households at or Below 60% AMI: At least 25% of CLT homes must be sold to families in this income range.
  • Households between 60-80% AMI: Up to 75% of CLT homes can be sold to families within this income range.
  • Households up to 120% AMI: If homes are located in a single, contiguous area or subdivision, CLTs may sell up to 20% of these homes to families earning up to 120% AMI.

Find more information about understanding AMI.

Initial Designation

Step 1.Eligibility & Requirements

To receive a designation in the City of San Antonio, CLTs must meet the following criteria:

  • Established to acquire and hold land to support affordable housing for low-to-moderate-income households.
  • Have adopted articles of incorporation stating the organization's purpose to acquire and hold land for the benefit of developing and preserving long-term affordable housing in San Antonio.
  • Have federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.
  • Own or intend to own land for a 99-year lease, per Texas Local Government Code.
  • Ensure CLT assets transfer to a qualified nonprofit or government if dissolved, with no obligation for the City to accept assets.
  • Operate independently of any for-profit control or influence.
  • Provide community, programming and governance narratives.
  • Ensure 1/3 of the board consists of low-moderate income CLT homeowners or renters.

Additional details are in the CLT Designation Policy(PDF, 329KB).

Pre-Application Questionnaire

Please complete the short pre-application questionnaire on pages 2 - 3 of the CLT Designation Application(PDF, 370KB) to understand if you are ready to apply for a designation.

If you answer no to any of the questions, email HousingPolicy@sanantonio.gov for more information before proceeding with your application.

Step 2.Required Documents

CLTs seeking a designation will also need to submit the following attachments in PDF format:

  • Non-profit 501(c)(3) IRS tax exemption letter
  • Map showing the CLT's geographic footprint
  • Board roster and resumes
  • Business Plan with Development pro-forma, budget and yearly unit projections
  • Articles of incorporation, charter, bylaws or similar governing document
  • Key employees, consultants, or housing development partners resumes that include name, title, years of affordable housing experience, area of expertise, date of hire, projects worked on, project type (rental/for sale), number of units produced/preserved
  • Copy of ground lease that includes a resale formula outlining the amount of equity per year that can be built while ensuring long term affordability
  • Market Value Assessment – can be completed using publicly available information

NOTE: Please do not include phone numbers, email addresses, or physical address on resumes.

Step 3.Optional Tax Exemption

CLTs can apply for a 50% City Tax exemption along with their designation. If a CLT chooses to apply, tax state code requirements apply. CLTs receiving the exemptions must provide an annual full financial audit conducted by a third-party auditor. Details about the audit requirements are in the CLT Designation Policy(PDF, 329KB).

Step 4.Apply

CLT Designation Application(PDF, 370KB)

You must also submit the following signed certifications:

Submit by Email

To apply for a CLT designation, please email a completed PDF application and any required attachments to HousingPolicy@sanantonio.gov.

Please use the subject line: CLT Designation Application - Name of your Organization

NOTE: To maintain designation as a CLT and any applicable tax exemption, a CLT must submit a yearly redesignation application to NHSD.

Redesignation

Step 1.Requirements

Following Texas Code, CLTs must apply for an annual redesignation. Redesignation will be handled administratively by the Neighborhood & Housing Services Department. Additional information about redesignation requirements can be found in the CLT Designation Policy(PDF, 329KB).

Please note, you must have completed the original application process before seeking a redesignation.

To ensure your designation is received before expiration, CLTs should submit redesignation applications at least 60 calendar days before designation expiration.

Step 2.Apply

CLT Redesignation Application(PDF, 197KB)

Submit by Email

To submit your CLT redesignation application, please email a completed PDF application and any requested attachments to HousingPolicy@sanantonio.gov.

Please use the subject line: CLT Redesignation – Name of your Organization

Contact

Email

HousingPolicy@sanantonio.gov

Related Links

Community Land Trust Designation Ordinance

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