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Verdun Community Land Trust

Un Verdun pour nos voisins, pas des investisseurs privés

The dream of staying in our neighbourhood shouldn't feel impossible. We're creating a practical, permanent solution: a community land trust stewarded by and for Verdun residents by removing land from the speculative market – for good.

Join the growing list of neighbours and engaged community members shaping this project.

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What would a Verdun CLT feel like?

Imagine

Security

Knowing your rent is truly affordable, forever, because you and your neighbours—not a distant landlord—sets it.

Belonging

Helping decide what happens in your building and local commercial spaces. A real say in your home.

Perpetuity

Creating collectively stewarded land and housing you, your community, and neighbours can afford, protecting the Verdun we love.

This isn't a distant dream. It's a proven model, and we are in the exciting start-up phase here in Verdun. The first building, the first piece of land— it's on the horizon.

Get Connected & Be Involved

Let’s build this together

Get updates and invitations to casual talks, workshops, community assemblies, organizing opportunities. Your voice decides what this becomes.

Support the Groundwork

Legal and incorporation costs
Initial feasibility studies
Community organizing efforts
Building our acquisition fund
Financing the infrastructure of a speculation‑free Verdun.
Help us reach our initial goal to cover startup costs and seed our property fund. Every contribution brings us closer.

Every contribution helps us build power to take land off the speculative market—permanently.

Secure donations via Zeffy (trusted platform, no fees for the organization)
Fiscal sponsorship: this project is fiscally sponsored by SEIZE, ensuring transparency and accountability (meaning charges to your card will appear from SEIZE but will benefit the Verdun Community Land Trust)

FAQ

Are CLTs really a thing in Canada?

Are CLTs really a thing in Canada?
Absolutely. The Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT) supports dozens of established and forming CLTs from coast to coast. They are a recognized, effective model for creating permanent affordable housing and community assets. We're part of this national network.

What happens to the land?

The CLT—a non-profit CLT or FUS governed by residents and community members— collectively owns and stewards the land forever. It never sells it. This is the permanent "lock" that keeps housing affordable, generation after generation. This is the standard CLT model used across Canada.

Is this realistic for Verdun?

Yes. The model is flexible and community-driven. Our first step is building our association of neighbors (that's you!). With a strong community base, we can identify the right opportunities and access funding and expertise from the Canadian CLT movement. Also, we're not starting from scratch. As a member of the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT), we are connected to this national ecosystem of knowledge, support, and shared purpose. This means our Verdun CLT will be built on a solid foundation.

What are other CLT’s in Canada?

Community Land Trusts are creating permanently affordable homes and vibrant communities across the country. They are a made-in-Canada solution to the housing crisis.
- In Vancouver, the Community Land Trust Foundation of BC stewards hundreds of homes, keeping them affordable forever.
- In Toronto, the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust reclaimed land for community gardens and affordable housing, fighting displacement. Kensington Market is another CLT in the heart of the city
- In Halifax, the Triangle Land Trust is developing community-led, climate-friendly affordable housing.
- Other Montréal examples: Milton-Parc Syndicate of Coproprietorship, and the Brique pas Brique FUS also acts like a CLT with a different legal structure!

Join Us in Building a Liberated Verdun

We are in the critical incubation phase. Your support now helps us lay the groundwork to launch a replicable model for community ownership and acquire our first properties.