Mission, Vision, Values
Mission
Bay Area Community Land Trust is a social justice organization that converts for-profit rental properties into permanently affordable, democratically run, cooperative housing for lower income households in order to foster economic and racial equity.
Vision
Our vision is a community where everyone, regardless of background, finds not just housing, but a lasting home defined by affordability, safety, and joy. Residents are collectively empowered with a true sense of belonging, permanence, and ownership. In this future we stand among many partners working together to build a future where each resident feels rooted, resilient, and proud—a community where shared stewardship brings a lasting legacy of home for all.
Our Values
Land Use Should Benefit Community
A land's value is derived from the surrounding community. Thus, it should benefit and sustain the whole community, not merely private parties. The land trust is a steward of the land and the co-op communities on that land.
Democratic Decision-Making
BACLT and its partner cooperatives are run democratically by their memberships; community and resident control are central to the land trust and co-op housing models.
Permanently Affordable Housing
Housing is a human right. Community ownership of the land keeps housing from being sold or rented to the highest bidder and keeps it affordable for future generations.
Sharing Resources
Shared amenities (laundries, gardens, vehicles, tools and libraries) and pooled purchasing lower costs for everyone.
Inclusive Communities
Co-ops must be open and welcoming to everyone. We aim for multi-generational diversity in cultures and incomes and to balance individual privacy with community relationships and voluntary resource sharing.
Green Building and Living
Sustainable urban living through re-use of materials, shared common spaces and gardens, alternative energy sources, recycling, composting, resource conservation.