Community Land Trust Gent (CLT Gent) develops affordable, high-quality housing for people with low or modest incomes using the Community Land Trust model, where residents purchase homes but not the underlying land, ensuring perpetual affordability through community-owned ground.2510 The organization operates as a vzw (non-profit association) founded on December 6, 2013, complemented by a stichting van openbaar nut (public utility foundation) established on December 6, 2017, which manages community lands and guarantees long-term affordability.4
Its mission centers on providing sustainable, energy-efficient homes to vulnerable groups via a neighborhood-focused, participatory approach that combines social housing benefits—like affordability and support—with homeownership advantages, such as tax benefits and emancipation.25 Key activities include developing projects like CLT Mykolaiv in Ghent's Muide-Meulestede district, completed in December with 34 homes, a community hall, shared garden, and private terraces; acquiring lands through donations (e.g., from Sogent) and subsidies (e.g., from Stad Gent); and supporting residents in community building.18 CLT Gent spreads the model across Flanders by sharing expertise, information via www.cltvlaanderen.be, and aiding new initiatives, while seeking additional sites in Ghent.26
Geographically focused on Ghent in East Flanders, Belgium, it pioneered the first CLT project in Flanders (CLT Mykolaiv) and extends influence regionally without national or broader scope.236 Key staff include Bert Vandepitte (project and finance), Eva Vandenberghe (CLT Mykolaiv and Upcycling Trust), Karen Soens (CLT Vlaanderen fundraising), and Leen Waterschoot.4 Governance involves residents, neighborhood groups, civil society, and local government.45