ABOUT
Aya Community Land Trust was founded to address the growing displacement and housing challenges faced by the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington. Hilltop, a historically Black community with deep cultural roots and a rich legacy of activism, has long been a beacon of resilience and creativity. However, rising property values and gentrification have threatened the stability of the neighborhood, forcing many longtime residents out of the community they helped build. Displacement due to soaring housing costs now affects vulnerable populations in Pierce County as a whole.
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Aya CLT was established to counter these pressures and ensure that Hilltop's cultural and historical identity remains intact. Its name, "Aya," reflects its mission and values—it is inspired by the Adinkra symbol for endurance and resourcefulness, underscoring the strength of Hilltop’s residents and their determination to thrive despite adversity.
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From the outset, Aya CLT has been committed to empowering current and historic Hilltop residents through community-centered solutions. By placing land in trust, Aya ensures that housing and other real estate remains permanently affordable for generations. Its governance structure prioritizes the voices of those most impacted by housing insecurity, with a focus on centering Black leadership in decision-making and operations.
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Aya’s work is grounded in the principles of reparative spatial justice, seeking to restore access to land and homeownership opportunities that have historically been denied to marginalized communities.
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Aya Community Land Trust represents a bold step forward in preserving the legacy of Hilltop, empowering its residents, and creating a model for equitable development that other communities can follow.
What is a Community Land Trust?
Community land trusts are non-profit organizations governed by community members that acquire, hold, develop and steward land in ways that benefit lower-income communities and neighborhoods.
Community land trusts give communities the opportunity to assure that land, housing and other assets are utilized and developed in ways that reflect their priorities.
Community land trusts were created in the late 1960s and early 1970s by Civil Rights leaders to prevent displacement and create ownership opportunities for low-income households. Community land trusts create accountability through democratic governance by members who make key decisions as documented in our bylaws and vote to elect Board members.
About Our Partnership with Homestead Community Land Trust
Aya Community Land Trust and Homestead Community Land Trust have created a partnership to serve the Hilltop, rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to building equitable and lasting solutions to housing challenges. This partnership acknowledges and celebrates the unique strengths each organization brings to the table, ensuring that the voices and priorities of the communities we serve remain at the center of our work.
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Homestead provides technical expertise and operational support to Aya, leveraging its experience in affordable homeownership development and the community land trust model to strengthen Aya’s capacity to deliver on its mission. Aya, in turn, brings invaluable leadership, vision, and a deep connection to the Hilltop community, ensuring that our collective efforts are informed by the lived experiences and aspirations of Hilltop’s current and historic residents.
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Homestead and Aya have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding about their work together. Download the MOU.
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