Housing Trust Funds

Housing trust funds (HTFs) are organizations or programs that receive dedicated revenue that is used to produce or preserve affordable housing.  There are more than 300 HTFs throughout the United States and between 30 and 40 in California.  Most are government agencies, though a number are nonprofit corporations.  Many HTFs are created after a dedicated revenue source is identified or approved.  Others are created first, and then seek dedicated revenues. 

The long running effort to create a National Housing Trust Fund was recently successful.  While few people realize it, the State of California has long had a housing trust funds - it just doesn't get funded.  Prop 46 and Prop 1C included funds for the Local Housing Trust Fund Matching Grant Program. 

This page was developed to provide a broad resource for people who are interested in housing trust funds.  It includes local, state and national links to housing trust funds, housing trust fund campaigns and research material.

Housing Trust Fund Project

The HTF Project of the Center for Community Change provides information, technical assistance and advocacy for the creation and ongoing funding of state and local housing trust funds.  The Project is headed by Mary Brooks, who has lobbied for housing trust funds for more than 25 years.  Considerable information is available from the HTF Project's website, including both free and low-cost publications and copies of current and past newsletters.

News from the Housing Trust Fund Project

Summer 2010

Spring 2010

Winter 2009

Fall 2008

Summer 2008

Winter 2008

Fall 2007

Summer 2007

Spring 2007

Winter 2007

Fall 2006

Summer 2006

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Winter 2006

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Summer 2005

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Spring 2002

Winter 2002

Housing Trust Fund Progress Report: 2007
is an extensive report from the HTF Project at surveyed nearly 600 housing trusts nationwide.  The report outlines the characteristics of housing trust funds, emerging trends, state enabling laws and other information.

Local Housing Trust Funds in California

Housing Trust of Santa Clara County

Housing Endowment and Trust (HEART) of San Mateo County

Mammoth Lakes Housing, Inc.

Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County
 

Other Information on Housing Trust Funds

National Association of Realtors Field Guide to HTFs