Community-owned land. Permanently affordable futures.
About us
Rondo Community Land Trust (CLT) is a community based affordable housing and commercial land trust operating in St. Paul and Suburban Ramsey County. As an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, Rondo CLT builds community wealth and neighborhood stability through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable homeownership opportunities, rental housing, commercial space, and other community assets.
Our Approach
Community-Owned Housing and Commercial Spaces That Last
Place-Based. Community-Led. Built for the Long Term.
Rondo CLT uses a place-based approach rooted in the historic Rondo neighborhood. We focus on stabilizing and strengthening communities that have experienced displacement and underinvestment by keeping land in community control and removing it from the speculative market.
Through the land trust model, we separate land ownership from building ownership, ensuring long-term affordability while allowing families and businesses to build equity and stability.
Our work integrates housing, commercial space, and economic development — recognizing that strong neighborhoods require all three.
Mission
Our Mission
We believe affordable housing is essential for strong, thriving neighborhoods. Our work focuses on:
Mission Statement :
- Strengthen and preserve communities by providing and advocating for permanently affordable, sustainable housing for families and individuals with low to moderate incomes.
- Promote the utilization of the land trust model as a method of preserving affordable housing, economic growth, and neighborhood stabilization.
- Support and celebrate cultural diversity by providing affordable business opportunities to increase community economic wealth, property values, and jobs.
Why It Matters
Why It Makes a Difference
Rising costs and limited access to space can push families and small businesses out of the neighborhoods they helped build. Rondo CLT helps remove these barriers by keeping housing and commercial properties affordable for the long term, supporting stability, opportunity, and community wealth.
WHY WE EXIST
Rooted in Heritage, Building for the Future
For over 30 years, Rondo Community Land Trust has been dedicated to preserving affordability, stability, and opportunity in St. Paul and beyond. Founded in 1993, we’ve expanded our reach to serve all of St. Paul and suburban Ramsey County, creating pathways to homeownership and economic growth that keep communities strong.
Property ownership has long been a pathway to building wealth and decision-making power. Yet those opportunities were not afforded equally. Today, economically marginalized communities continue to face significant barriers to gaining access to housing and commercial space, whether renting or owning.
Rondo CLT addresses these challenges by using the land trust model to move land from the for-profit, speculative market into shared equity, community ownership, and mutual control, creating stability that lasts across generations.
Rondo CLT
A Legacy of Community Stewardship and Innovation
1956
Rondo CLT is named after Rondo Avenue, a main commercial corridor that was renamed Concordia Avenue during the construction of Interstate 94. The construction displaced long-term residents and fractured the predominantly African American Rondo neighborhood.
1989
A resident task force initiated by the Summit-University Planning Council explored effective methods of preserving housing affordability and recommended the land trust model.
1993
The Summit-University and Lexington-Hamline Community Councils endorsed the creation of Minnesota’s first community land trust. Rondo CLT was incorporated as a nonprofit to serve these communities.
2002
After nearly ten years of success, Rondo CLT expanded its service area to include all of St. Paul and later Suburban Ramsey County.
2022
Rondo CLT became the first commercial land trust in Minnesota, developing a model for permanently affordable commercial space as a strategy to retain and stabilize small businesses on the Selby Avenue corridor.
Today
Rondo CLT continues expanding projects that emphasize flexibility and collaboration, ranging from economic development to neighborhood beautification, while staying grounded in long-term affordability and community stability.
Our Legacy
For over 30 years, Rondo CLT has developed affordable housing for modest-income households across St. Paul, Minnesota. We remain committed to addressing priorities set by the community while exploring innovative development methods that strengthen neighborhoods.
Rondo and You
Our commitment lies in building an authentic connection between the Rondo neighborhood and community members, their families, and shared interests. If you want to align your goals with the long-term success of your neighborhood, we invite you to connect with Rondo Community Land Trust.
Our Purpose
Rooted in Mission. Guided by Vision. Driven by Values.
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01
Our Mission
We believe affordable housing is essential for strong, thriving neighborhoods. Our work focuses on: Offering permanently affordable homeownership and rental opportunities for low and moderate-income households. Preserving housing affordability and supporting neighborhood stability. Expanding business opportunities to help local entrepreneurs grow and contribute to the community.
02
Our Vision
Through innovative programs and responsible stewardship, we ensure that housing and business opportunities remain within reach today and for future generations.
03
Our Values
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Public Accountability
Financials, Reports, and Required Disclosures
Audited Financials
Annual Reports
OUR TEAM
Dedicated Leaders. Community Builders.
Rondo CLT is comprised of a dedicated team committed to promoting affordable housing and commercial space in St. Paul, MN. With experience in community development and real estate, we strive to support economic growth, diversity, and lasting positive impacts.
Board of Directors
Charles Bradley
President
Brooke Blakey
Secretary
Tiffany Phillips
Treasurer
Krystle D'Alencar
Tameka Jones
Rekik Endeshaw
Tiffany Price
Marcio Thompson
Latashia Matlock-Rivers
Kate Speed
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Where can I read Rondo CLT’s annual report and financials?
You can view Rondo CLT’s most recent annual report and financial documents by visiting our About page: https://www.rondoclt.org/about/about-us
What is a community land trust (CLT) and how does it create affordable housing?
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. This model creates long-term affordability, community stability, and generational wealth.
Who can qualify for Rondo CLT’s programs?
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 here: https://www.rondoclt.org/residential/our-initiatives. Our commercial and community engagement programs are open to everyone.
How is Rondo CLT supported?
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.
Public Accountability