When I accepted the position of Executive Director for the Methow Housing Trust nearly three years ago, I was well acquainted with the Community Land Trust (CLT) model of permanently affordable homeownership - but I was totally unaware of the origins of the model.  I soon came to understand that that the CLT model was born out of the Civil Rights Movement in the deep south in the 1960’s, in an effort to create housing equity for people of color who were unable to get a foothold into secure housing in their own communities.  Today, the history of our mission feels more relevant than ever - for Black Americans, and for marginalized people in our own community.
 
The national association of CLT’s shared these thoughts in a recent newsletter:
 
“From the Civil Rights Movement to today, the struggle for equal justice and human rights has been driven by a dream and a promise that is still too far out of reach for the majority of Black Americans. The systemic racism in our country is perpetuated and compounded by the unequal treatment that Black communities have had to endure at the hands of those who are sworn to serve and protect. In this extraordinary week of mourning the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and so many other Black lives lost before them, our voices join the demands of fellow citizens across America calling for equal justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and our Black communities everywhere.”

It is important for all of us to declare our commitment to continue fighting alongside the Black Community to change public policies and systems that create inequitable justice, access and treatment of the Black community. In this sad and tragic week of mourning the senseless losses of more Black lives, we stand with Black communities across the country, with renewed commitment to the roots of our equitable-access housing mission, and pledge to continue to work collectively to end racism that still exists today.
 
In solidarity,
The MHT Board of Directors and Staff