Habitat for Humanity-CLT Partnerships for Lasting Affordability

Webinar Description

What does it take to create housing that remains affordable across generations? Join the International Center for CLTs, Habitat for Humanity, and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy for a dynamic conversation on the power of community land trusts (CLTs) as a tool to deliver lasting affordability through long-term stewardship. This webinar will walk through the history of the community land trust movement in the U.S., examine the current landscape of affordable housing preservation, and spotlight a new policy report on forming strong and equitable CLT partnerships.

Panelists will offer practical insights into how CLTs function as stewards—protecting affordability at resale, supporting homeowners over time, and preserving the physical integrity of homes so they can serve multiple generations of families. With a long-standing history of collaboration, CLTs and Habitat for Humanity affiliates are natural partners in this work. Participants will learn how CLT-Habitat partnerships have been successfully formed and scaled and what it truly takes—on the ground and behind the scenes—for communities to take collective control of land and housing.

Whether you’re a housing advocate, policymaker, staff/board member of Habitat for Humanity affiliates and CLTs, or a curious citizen, this session will provide both inspiration and grounded strategy for ensuring that affordability endures beyond a single sale, beyond a single homeowner—for generations to come.

Speakers and Panelists

John Emmeus Davis, Founding Board Member, International Center for Community Land Trusts; Editor-in-Chief, Terra Nostra Press

JOHN EMMEUS DAVIS is a co-founder of Burlington Associates in Community Development, a national consulting cooperative. John was on the staff of the Institute for Community Economics from 1981 to 1985 and later served for ten years as the housing director for the City of Burlington, Vermont. He co-authored the federal definition of a CLT that was enacted into US law in 1992.

Assan Sosseh, Lasting Affordability Program Manager, Habitat for Humanity International

ASSAN SOSSEH is a seasoned affordable housing professional currently serving as the Lasting Affordability Program Manager at Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). In this role, he leads initiatives aimed at increasing the adoption of lasting affordability homeownership models within the Habitat network. These models include strategies such as community land trusts, ground leases, and long-term deed restrictions, all designed to ensure that homes remain affordable for future generations.

Derby Swanson, Director of Homeowner and Community Services, Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County

DERBY A SWANSON has a diverse professional background with extensive experience in community services, market research, and project management. Currently serving as the Director of Homeowner and Community Services at Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County since September 2022, Derby previously held roles such as Community Impact Manager and Worship Administrator at Trinity Church in the City of Boston. Derby A. Swanson operated an independent consulting practice focused on research methodologies from 2011 to June 2016 and has also held significant positions at Sentient Decision Science, Applied Marketing Science, and the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, contributing to various strategic and management initiatives. Academic qualifications include an MBA in Market Research from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, a Master of Divinity in Theology from Andover Newton Theological School, and a Bachelor of Science in Theatre from Northwestern University.

Matina Kauffman, Vice President of Homeownership and Neighborhood Programs, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region

MATINA KAUFFMAN is the Vice President of Homeownership and Neighborhood Programs with Habitat for Humanity Portland Region. She has been with the affiliate for 18 years and was instrumental in their transition to permanent affordability through a partnership with the local community land trust, Proud Ground. She has been a strong supporter of expanding shared equity models across the Habitat network and sharing best practices. She helped develop a resource center on lasting affordability for affiliates through a Fellowship with Habitat for Humanity for Humanity International.

Megan McDonough, Executive Director, Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity

MEGAN MCDONOUGH has been the Executive Director of Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity since 2014. Megan has been working with Habitat to refine the model of small, ecological, homeownership – asking the question, what’s “big enough” to contain the dream of homeownership? Prior to her work with Habitat Megan spent 7 years at the Center for Ecotechnology providing support for green building certification programs like LEED for Homes and ENERGY STAR Homes. She has a master’s degree in regional planning from UMass Amherst and lives with her family in a near zero net energy home in the western Mass hilltowns.

Devika Goetschius, Executive Director, Housing Land Trust of the North Bay

DEVIKA “DEV” GOETSCHIUS is a nationally recognized leader in community land trusts and permanently affordable homeownership, with over two decades of experience in equitable housing development. As Executive Director of the Housing Land Trust of Sonoma County and a partner at Burlington Associates in Community Development, Dev has helped launch and support dozens of shared equity housing programs across the US. She also serves on the boards of Generation Housing and International Center for Community Land Trusts, and is a trusted advisor to local governments, nonprofits, and Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Fluent in Spanish, Hindi, and Sindhi, Dev brings a community-centered, multilingual approach to her work, grounded in a commitment to long-term affordability and housing justice.