Overview of the First Flemish CLT Project
The article, published by VRT NWS and written by journalist Amélie Outters, reports on the inaugural Community Land Trust (CLT) development in Flanders, situated in the Meulestede neighbourhood of Ghent. It explains the CLT model, whereby buyers acquire a house while the land remains owned by a social housing organisation, WoninGent. This approach aims to keep housing affordable for low‑income households.
Project Scope and Timeline
The Meulestede CLT comprises 34 new homes, each with a private garden or terrace, plus shared green spaces, a communal area, and safe cycling routes. Construction has already begun, with the foundation stone ceremony attended by local officials, including Ghent’s mayor Mathias De Clercq and several aldermen. The developers project completion by 2024.
Financial Structure and Affordability
By removing the cost of land from the purchase price, the CLT reduces the financial barrier for households that would otherwise struggle to obtain a bank loan. Buyers receive a perpetual right‑of‑use for their home, can renovate or sell it, but must occupy it themselves; renting is prohibited. Resale prices are capped to maintain long‑term affordability.
Target Beneficiaries and Eligibility
The scheme is directed at individuals in the lowest income brackets, particularly those who marginally miss out on conventional mortgage eligibility. Prospective owners must intend to live in the property as their primary residence. The initiative seeks to provide an alternative to the social housing queue for those on the brink of financial exclusion.
Governance and Partnerships
The land is owned by WoninGent, a social housing agency, while the project receives financial and technical support from the city of Ghent and the regional development agency Sogent, which donated the land. Marc Heughebaert, chair of WoninGent and a member of the Green party, highlighted the 12‑year development process leading to this realisation.
Community Involvement and Social Impact
Resident participation is integral to the CLT model. Future occupants, like candidate buyer César, are consulted throughout planning and construction, fostering a sense of ownership and community cohesion. The development also includes shared amenities designed to strengthen neighbourhood ties.
Key Data Summary
- Location: Meulestede, Ghent, Flanders
- Number of homes: 34
- Completion target: 2024
- Landowner: WoninGent (social housing)
- Publisher: VRT NWS (public broadcaster)
- Author: Amélie Outters (journalist)
- Primary aim: Deliver affordable homeownership for low‑income families without land ownership.