29-01-2025
SAW Housing Lunch and Learn series to discuss community land trusts Thursday
STAUNTON – Community Land Trusts will be the topic when The SAW Housing Steering Committee resumes its Lunch & Learn series this Thursday.
Dan Layman, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, will facilitate a community conversation exploring the community land trust model Thursday, Jan. 30, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave.
Participants are encouraged to bring a brown-bagged lunch for the community conversation. The event is free. For more information visit the SAW Housing website.
Community land trusts own land for the sake of developing affordable housing for a community.
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"A real concern of most communities investing in the development of new housing is how to ensure that it remains affordable for their region's workforce,' Layman said. 'A partnership with the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust is one way to accomplish that goal. Community land trusts came into existence in the 1970's, but the VSCLT is relatively new.
'We have been working to introduce this option to local leaders since early last year, which has led to a pledge to align what will be the first homes in our community targeted for the VSCLT. We're eager to build on that early success, and we'll accomplish that in part through making our broader community aware of this model and its benefits."
Since the inaugural SAW Housing Summit in October of 2022, the Lunch & Learn series has been a way to continue the community conversation around affordable housing solutions. Past topics have included renter's rights, Housing First as a methodology, accessibility for people with differing physical abilities, permanent supportive housing and other topics.
Anna Leavitt is the executive director of Community Action Partnership Staunton Augusta Waynesboro (CAPSAW), as well as a SAW Housing Steering Committee member. Leavitt sees the need for keeping the conversation going.
'Community conversations about housing continue to be valuable, because they help foster collaboration,' Leavitt said, 'and ensure that housing solutions are inclusive and sustainable.'
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Community land trusts topic of Thursday's SAW Housing Lunch & Learn series
