Madison Area Community Land Trust

Summary: The Partnership has worked with the Madison Area Community Land Trust on several projects between 1991 and the present. In addition to studying the initial feasibility of creating the organization, we have assisted with creating a financing program, completing two development projects, and most recently planning for program expansion.

Staff contact: Joanna Balsamo-Lilien

Wisconsin Partnership's role: Consultant/CHDO TA provider

Status of work: Ongoing

The Partnership has worked with the Madison Area Community Land Trust (MACLT) in a number of ways, beginning in 1991. At that time we analyzed the feasibility of establishing a land trust in the Madison area. Our report described existing land trust models, analyzed conditions in the Madison area that might affect a new land trust, described possible land acquisition strategies and identified local financial resources that might be available. MACLT was subsequently launched.

In 1995, the Partnership prepared a business plan to assist MACLT in establishing Homeward Bound, a loan program that would help income-eligible households purchase homes under the land trust model. We also helped secure $250,000 in funding for the new program, although other priorities subsequently prevented program implementation.

During the late 1990s, the Partnership assisted MACLT with two development projects. We were part of the development team for the 12 new homes in the Troy Court project. Later we helped MACLT build three new homes using women contractors trained through the Partnership’s Women’s Construction Business Initiative.

In 2006, as MACLT neared completion of Troy Gardens, a large and highly successful development project, the board and staff again asked for the Partnership’s assistance. They wanted to plan for future undertakings that would fall within their mission and fit the capacity of the organization. Currently the Partnership is helping them design, analyze and evaluate potential growth areas and program expansion options.