Community Land Trust in Brussels

Brussels

• Capital of Belgium, capital of Europe• 1.200.000 residents

Housing crisis- 60 % tenants- 39.000 social houses (7,7% of the park)- More than ¼ under poverty line- By 2020: demografical boom (120.000 new residents)- Housing prices more than doubled in 10 years- 50.000 families waiting for a social house- Housing plan: 5000 new social dwellings

Origins of CLT movement in Brussels- Actions against housing

crisis- Solidarity saving groups- L’espoir- Looking for new

homeownership models

- Looking for new ways to the right to housing and right to the city

2008: Conference on housing cooperatives in France 2009: Visit to Burlington 2009: Introduction of the CLT model in Belgium 2010: Charter for CLT in Brussels 2011: Création of CLT Platform 2011: Feasability study for regional gouvernement 2012: Subsidies for the creation of a CLT2013: First property

Steps to a CLT in Brussels

Building a CLT-movement

Why is there so many interest in CLT’s?

• Housing crisis • Thread of gentrification• Lack of effective answer from the classical housing

organisations• Political goodwill and funding for new affordable housing• Receptive for innovation• Available tools for promoting homeownership: cheap loans,…• Neighbourghbood contrats: free acces to land• Broad support from local groups and families in housing need• Partnerships with devellopement partners

Organisational structure• 1 central CLT for Brussels • Support from the Regional Gouvernment• Double structure:

1/3 owners

1/3 regional authority

1/3 community

Non profit organisation

Foundation

Community involvement

• in close collaboration with existing housing organisations, local organisations and grassroots movements

• Membership through saving fund saving group

• Participation of futur houseowners and neighbours in design and planning of houses

The first operationsVandenpeereboom Molenbeek- 32 units and community space on empty plot - Saving group- Builder: Social housing coorporation - “Neighbourhood Contract”

The first operationsVerheyden Anderlecht- Renovation of empty parish center (church)- 7 apartments and community space- Community garden

Outside BrusselsFlandres: first experiment in the city of Ghent

Wallonie: Platform

www.community-land-trust.be