The month of March is recognized nationally as “Women’s History Month,” and to kick off the month we’re shining the spotlight on a North Philadelphia sheroe by the name of Vivian VanStory. Although not a native Philadelphian, from the time she arrived in Philadelphia as a young girl, she poured her heart and soul into the community where she lived for over five decades. While she lived, she made a positive difference in Philadelphia. Today, we salute Vivian VanStory.
Vivian VanStory is most well known in Philadelphia for founding the Community Land Trust Corporation (CLTC) in North Philadelphia. The Community Land Trust Corporation made it possible for residents in our area of North Philadelphia to have a say-so in our community.
The Community Land Trust Corporation was founded by Vivian VanStory in 1984. This organization works to do sustainable energy projects, keeps records of land management, offers community environmental education projects, and they have the sponsorship of the 23 Thompson Street Solar Homes and more.
What is a Community Land Trust like that which Vivian VanStory started? A community land trust is a nonprofit corporation that holds land on behalf of a place-based community while serving as the long-term steward for affordable housing, community gardens, civic buildings, commercial spaces, and other community assets on behalf of a community. CLTs balance the needs of individuals who want the security of tenure in occupying and using land and housing, with the needs of the surrounding community, striving to secure a variety of social purposes such as maintaining the affordability of local housing, preventing the displacement of vulnerable residents, and promoting economic and racial inclusion. Across the world, there is enormous diversity among CLTs in the ways that real property is owned, used, and operated and the ways that the CLT itself is guided and governed by people living on and around a CLT’s land.
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