Woodcut depicting cooperative living housing

Burlington Associates is a national consulting cooperative founded in 1993 to assist community land trusts (CLTs) and other nonprofit organizations engaged in the production and stewardship of permanently affordable housing.

Operating out of offices in Burlington VT, Bozeman MT, Minneapolis MN, and Petaluma CA, and Athens GA, , we specialize in providing five types of technical assistance:

document titled Bylaws

Organization

Incorporation of a new community land trust, the conversion of an existing nonprofit corporation into a CLT, or the formation of a CLT program within an existing organization.

Woodcut of a hand holding a stopwatch

Training

Advising, teaching, and mentoring CLT practitioners on organizational policies, operational procedures, and project development.

Woodcut of firefighters

Planning

Creation of business plans and strategic plans for CLTs and other nonprofits dedicated to the expansion and stewardship of permanently affordable housing.

Woodcut of two people shaking hands

Partnerships

Facilitation of cooperative relationships among CLTs located within the same city, county, state, or region.

Woodcut of a rainbow ending in a pot with a sunrise in the background

policies

Development of governmental policies and programs supporting housing and other land-based assets designed to remain affordable forever.

Our work is guided by a practical philosophy of equitable and sustainable community development containing four strategic priorities:

  • Prevent the removal of public subsidies and charitable donations that have been invested in affordable housing, transit-oriented development, urban agriculture, and neighborhood commercial districts, retaining whatever gains in accessibility and affordability have been made possible by those investments;
  • Enhance security of tenure and economic mobility for families of modest means by expanding access to permanently affordable homeownership;
  • Ensure the lasting affordability, quality, and security of housing and other community assets by entrusting a nonprofit organization with responsibility for their long-term stewardship.
  • Nurture a robust “third sector” of private, nonprofit organizations capable of working in concert with government to deliver housing, economic development and other essential services to local neighborhoods and communities.
  • Empower residents to have a voice in the development of their own communities.