Through the innovative Community Land Trust (CLT) model, we empower families to build long-term generational wealth, foster the growth of local entrepreneurship, and preserve housing affordability for generations to come. By prioritizing community ownership and equitable development, we create sustainable pathways to economic stability, inclusive growth, and lasting neighborhood resilience.
We help families purchase homes at prices below market value through special programs and financial support, making homeownership more accessible and affordable.
We support small businesses by offering budget-friendly commercial spaces that reduce startup costs and encourage local economic growth.
We promote long-term affordable housing and strengthen economic resilience through strategic, community-driven efforts in St. Paul and suburban Ramsey and Dakota Counties.
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Whether you're aiming to purchase your first home or launch your own business, we're here to guide you every step of the way. With the right tools, expert support, and a clear roadmap—you're closer than ever to making ownership a reality.
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Commercial ownership in a land trust is a powerful tool for promoting community economic development and preserving affordability for small businesses. By owning the land, Rondo CLT can ensure that commercial properties remain accessible and affordable for small businesses over the long term.
As a community land trust, Rondo CLT removes the financial, educational, and systemic barriers to homeownership that many families face. By providing permanently affordable rental and homeownership opportunities, as well as pre-purchased education and post-purchase support.
Join us for events that celebrate community successes and provide educational opportunities. Our block parties, potlucks, homeownership orientations, and community meetings foster a sense of unity and build social capital.
EMPOWER YOUR JOURNEY TO
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The Right to Return to Rondo Initiative is designed to create homeownership opportunities for those displaced by the construction of I-94 or their descendants to repair the economic, social, and cultural harm caused by the destruction of 700+ homes and 300+ businesses in the historic Rondo Neighborhood.
HERE'S HOW →
The Homebuyer Initiated Program (HIP) is a homeownership program through which Rondo CLT assists households at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) purchase and fix up a single-family home (including duplexes) of their choice in St. Paul or Suburban Ramsey County.
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A cornerstone initiative of Mayor Melvin Carter, the Inheritance Fund is an innovative and people-centered program that affords low-income families from Saint Paul's historic Rondo Neighborhood the opportunity to rebuild wealth through homeownership.
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Ready to take the first step toward homeownership? To participate in Rondo CLT's residential program, attending an orientation is essential. Our biweekly sessions provide an in-depth overview of the land trust model and key strategies for navigating the homebuying process. Let us guide you toward your future home.
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In 2017, Rondo CLT became the first community land trust in Minnesota to apply the model for commercial uses.
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Growing up in Ethiopia, Wondwosen Gebrehiwot's family owned a home. As a father of three, Wondwosen wanted the same.
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As many Organization's celebrate Black History Month in February, Rondo Community Land Trust is proud to be making Black history.
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A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that creates permanently affordable housing by separating the ownership of land from the ownership of the home. Rondo CLT owns the land and offers homes at below-market rates, making homeownership more accessible. Homeowners sign a 99-year ground lease and agree to resale terms that ensure the home remains affordable for the next buyer.
Rondo CLT's Homebuyer Initiated Program is available to individuals and families earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Updated income guidelines and qualification details are available on our website. Our commercial and community engagement programs are open to everyone.
Rondo CLT is supported through a combination of city, state, and federal funding programs, institutional and corporate grants, and individual donors who believe in the power of community ownership. This diverse funding mix helps us keep housing and commercial spaces affordable for generations to come.