Hello, HCLT supporters!

We hope you are enjoying the slightly warmer weather and remember that spring is just around the corner. In the meantime, we have some good news to help warm your bones.

We are a Non-Profit!

We are pleased to announce that the Hamilton Community Land Trust has received approval from the Ontario Government to operate as a non-profit corporation. We are thrilled with the news that this first legal hoop has been jumped through on the way to community ownership of land! We are also taking this news as a sign to get down to business. So with that out of the way, here is what we are up to:

Strategic Planning

As we approach the one-year mark since our Public Launch last April, we are taking some time to reflect on the past year and re-calibrate as we move forward. We have been working with our volunteers and some key experts to identify our goals and strategies for the next three years. These goals include:

Keeping Engaged with the Community

From the beginning, HCLT has been committed to engaging with Hamilton’s many communities and organizations. Some of our top values include being collaborative, community-driven, inclusive, open, and accountable. For the next three years we will be looking for ways to increase our public presence, establish formal partnerships, and use a variety of communication tools to reach the community.

Good Governance

Good governance means a well-planned and well-structured organization, with the right mix of skills to get the job done. For the HCLT, this includes involving the community, volunteers, and partner organizations whenever possible. We are committed to growing the HCLT to involve more people, and developing a strong, clear, and inclusive governance model that reflects our mission and values.

Sustainable Operations

We know that none of our work with the community will be possible unless we can achieve long-term sustainability. This includes being able to support staff and volunteers on an ongoing basis, and being able to acquire land for the community and develop resources for its use. Therefore, one of our top priorities is to develop a community land trust business model that identifies how we will generate sustainable sources of revenue to support community ownership of land.

Further Updates

As part of our commitment to improved engagement, we are currently working on an Annual Report that will highlight our activities and successes over our first year. We can’t wait to share it with you! In the meantime, regular updates can always be found on our Twitter feed. More information is also available here on our website, and our Facebook page.

Thanks for your ongoing support and interest, Hamilton!

Sincerely,
The Hamilton Community Land Trust Team