Western Queens Community Land Trust:
New York
Queens
n/a
n/a
2019
Yes
THE PURPOSE OF THE WESTERN QUEENS COMMUNITY LAND TRUST IS AS FOLLOWS:1. To promote a more equitable city by way of community land ownership lasting in perpetuity. We aim to reclaim as much of the Western Queens area as possible for CLT ownership and in partnership with local communities, always focusing on economic, racial, and environmental justice.2. To promote community involvement and land stewardship. This remains directly in contrast with the capitalist goals of private ownership, which place individual needs above those of the community and the greater good. WQCLT seeks to counterbalance the flawed process of land development in New York City.3. To strengthen the local economy by providing affordable working spaces to local artists and business owners. This can ensure a healthy exchange of goods and services within the community.4. To offer priority access for low-income residents to deeply and permanently affordable housing, community, and commercial spaces in marginalized communities, as a way of keeping with the value of economic equality.5. To encourage environmental sustainability in our building design by choosing the most resource-efficient designs with minimal negative environmental impact.6. To constantly inform and empower the community with outreach and advocacy campaigns that reinforce our principles. We aim to mobilize residents in promoting and sustaining economic equality throughout Western Queens. It is important that WQCLT’s properties remain part of the community.7. To empower immigrant communities by leveraging our communal resources so that Western Queens remains affordable to people of all economic backgrounds. In order to preserve Queens’ unique economic and racial diversity, we provide land and building space for residents to live, work, and preserve their cultures.8. To mirror the principles laid out in Article 17 of the New York State Constitution, which states, “Aid, care, and support for the needy should be provided by the state and its subdivisions.” We consider ourselves to be one of those subdivisions.
The WQCLT is governed by an interim board that will transition to a permanent, elected board once the CLT acquires its first property or after two years. The governance model is designed to ensure that the community has a strong voice, with specific provisions for low-income representation.
Currently, the WQCLT is not managing residential properties. Their first project involves non-residential community space. Future projects may include affordable housing, and eligibility would likely prioritize low-income residents and those who meet specific criteria set by the CLT.
WQCLT, an incorporated non-profit, was founded in 2019. It emerged out of local community opposition to Amazon's planned HQ2. The group works to slow gentrification and displacement in western Queens by stewarding properties for permanent affordability and community control. WQCLT’s first project is to transform a large city-owned manufacturing building into a permanently affordable commercial and cultural hub.