The need for affordable homeownership options on Staten Island required a thoughtful, data-driven approach to Community Land Trust development. HR&A addressed this opportunity by developing a CLT operating model specifically tailored to the island’s unique market conditions and community context. Our approach included conducting a comparative analysis of successful CLTs across New York and peer cities, analyzing local demographic and housing data to identify prospective homebuyers, and assessing the feasibility of various funding mechanisms. This comprehensive research enabled us to define clear goals, target populations, housing typologies, governance structures, and sustainable funding sources for the proposed CLT. 

Building on this foundation, HR&A created an actionable execution strategy that transformed analysis into implementation guidance. We conducted detailed real estate and foreclosure data scans to identify optimal acquisition sites, developed site-specific financial analyses that quantified required subsidies and projected operating revenue, and outlined a multi-year implementation plan complete with unit projections and partnership recommendations. The resulting strategy provides Northfield with concrete next steps and financial projections, enabling the organization to move forward confidently with a CLT model that addresses local housing needs while maintaining long-term financial sustainability and community control over affordable housing assets.