What is the Community Resilience Cohort?
Launched in March 2024, the Community Resilience Cohort (CRC) is a program that helps new community land trusts (CLTs) grow and secure land for community benefit. Run by the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts (CNCLT), this initiative supports five start-up CLTs led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). Through the CRC, these groups receive funding, mentorship, and technical support to build strong, community-driven organizations.
But the program goes beyond direct support. CNCLT is also documenting each group’s journey to highlight:
- Their origin stories
- The challenges faced by BIPOC-led CLTs
- How the CLT model can be a tool for land-based reparative justice in Canada
The CRC is made possible with support from the McConnell Foundation.
Who is in the Cohort?
Five CLTs from across Canada were carefully selected for the program based on their commitment to community ownership and need for support. These groups are:
- Toronto Chinatown Land Trust (Pictured above – Toronto, Ontario)
- Calgary Urban Indigenous Community Land Trust (Calgary, Alberta)
- Sundance Commons (Greater Toronto Area, Ontario)
- Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust (Digby County, Nova Scotia)
- Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
These CLTs have strong community backing and are dedicated to building local governance structures. As part of the program, they meet every six months to share progress, exchange knowledge, and support one another.
What Have They Achieved So Far?
Since joining the CRC, these CLTs have made huge strides in governance, community engagement, and securing land. Here are some of their accomplishments:
- Sundance Commons held its first Annual General Meeting, formed a Board of Directors, and began strategic planning. They continue to provide land access for Farmers of Colour in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Calgary Urban Indigenous CLT is working with Elders to shape a Housing Development Strategy based on Indigenous perspectives.
- Toronto Chinatown Land Trust completed a major community engagement project (funded by the City of Toronto) and launched an Anti-Colonial Framework. They have also expanded their team to drive these initiatives forward.
- Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust successfully acquired their first property a historic African Nova Scotian landmark that was at risk of being lost. The rehabilitation of this site will prioritize a unique blend of heritage preservation and climate resiliency.
- Upper Hammonds Plains Community Land Trust secured an incredible $61.2 million from CMHC’s Co-operative Development Fund to build 136 townhomes—the largest Black-led co-operative housing project in Canada!
The Road Ahead
These achievements are just the beginning. With continued support from the CRC, these CLTs are well on their way to creating lasting change in their communities. By securing land and building community-led housing, they are reclaiming space, preserving cultural heritage, and advancing land-based justice across Canada.