Housing Justice League, in partnership with The Guild and the AFSC Atlanta Economic Justice Program, breaks ground on new land trust

Housing Justice League, The Guild and the AFSC Atlanta Economic Justice Program (ATLEJ) are excited to announce the formation of a new Community Land Trust aimed at addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in Atlanta. Named the People's Community Land Trust (PCLT), this collaborative initiative will first prioritize the immediate relocation of Ms. Juliet Brown, a longtime community member who had been displaced from her home. The Guild has acquired a property in the Peoplestown neighborhood that will serve as Ms. Juliet’s long-term home, as well as a site for additional permanently affordable units to be constructed over the next 1-2 years. The Guild is working with HJL and ATLEJ to incubate the PCLT to serve as a vehicle to take housing off the speculative market.

Ms. Juliet’s story represents the pressing issue of housing insecurity that so many Atlanta residents face. After 27 years renting her home, a new landlord ended Ms. Juliet’s lease and refused to accept community-raised funds that would have allowed her to purchase it. Housing Justice League has worked closely with her throughout her journey, advocating for her rights and seeking solutions to ensure she maintains safe, stable housing. Her first-hand accounts and direct advocacy on her own behalf and for others has shed light on the housing challenges Atlanta residents face and has been instrumental in shaping the vision and mission of the PCLT.

This collaboration between HJL, The Guild and ATLEJ signifies a commitment to addressing not only Ms. Juliet's immediate housing needs but also the broader challenges faced by low and moderate-income residents in Atlanta. Over the next two years, this partnership will focus on acquiring and building additional homes to be put into the PCLT, to serve the housing needs of low and moderate-income residents across Atlanta.

379 Elm St. is the second property to enter the PCLT and the first multifamily land trust property in Atlanta. This 9-unit apartment building is located in Vine City, one of Atlanta’s oldest and most historically important communities, and also one of the most threatened by predatory investment. 

Georgia’s lack of renter protections like rent control and just cause eviction policies makes properties like this one rife for predatory investors. Prior to entering the PCLT, rents for units at 379 Elm were constantly increasing with little to no improvements and multiple tenants had been evicted in the previous year. The PCLT was able to decrease rents and ensure that these 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units will remain permanently affordable and that vacant units will be prioritized for tenants with incomes at or below 30% of the Area Median Income.

The PCLT and 379 Elm tenants are partnering to proactively steward this property together. We recently finished renovations to convert two vacant units into a 3-bedroom unit, creating a much-needed and often rarely accessible option for families.

We want to make sure that we have adequate funds to maintain the PCLT, which is why we’re asking for contributions to the rehab fund! This will help us create a sustainable way to ensure that the home is safe, well maintained, and stays in the hands of the community. You can contribute here!