Centre County

Housing and Land Trust

We lead the way to create diverse, vibrant communities through long-term affordable housing in Centre County.

We keep homes affordable and in the hands of the community by only putting homes, not the land they occupy, on the market for low- to moderate-income people.

Learn more about the land trust model

  • Develop Housing

    CCHLT works independently and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County to increase the ability of low- and moderate-income households to secure decent and affordable housing in a mix of housing types.

  • Financial Literacy Program

    CCHLT’s Next Steps Financial Literacy program provides education and practical tools to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions, manage resources effectively, receive pre- and post-home purchase counseling and achieve long-term financial well-being.

  • Support to Developers

    CCHLT provides developers with timely and accurate information and data, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning for the inclusion of affordable housing units in their land development plans.

  • Support to Municipalities

    CCHLT provides expertise, counsel and support in the development, implementation and administration of affordable housing policies, aiming to address housing challenges and promote inclusive communities.

  • Strategic Planning

    CCHLT works in collaborative partnerships with various stakeholders (such as County government, local municipalities, members of the business community and local residents) to help facilitate the creation of affordable housing solutions, addressing the critical need for sustainable and inclusive communities.

our mission

Centre County Housing and Land Trust strengthens communities through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable homes for people of low- to moderate-income in Centre County, PA.

our history

The closure of a local mobile home community in Patton Township was the catalyst to the creation of the Centre County Housing and Land Trust. Incorporated in the summer of 2008, CCHLT was initially created for the development and permanent affordability stewardship of a new affordable housing community, Thompson Place.

In the decade to follow, the partnership between the newly formed CCHLT and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County was forged and strengthened. By the summer of 2017 Thompson Place was completed. This community was a collaboration with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County to construct nine (9) single family homes and rehabilitate two (2) duplexes. CCHLT constructed two (2) single family homes. One mobile home from the original Mellott Mobile Home Park (that is now Thompson Place) remains on-site.

We are pleased that the partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Centre County remains strong. Working together, more homes in more communities in Centre County will be permanently affordable for generations to come.

our core values

Permanent Affordability: To strengthen communities through the development and stewardship of permanently affordable homes (both owner occupied and rental) for people of low- and moderate-income.

Housing Security and Mobility: To increase the ability of low- and moderate-income households to secure decent and affordable housing in a mix of housing types.

Neighborhood Quality: To combat community deterioration in residential neighborhoods by promoting the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of quality housing.

Environmental Sustainability: To protect the natural environment and to promote the ecologically sound use of land and natural resources, as well as the long-term sustainability of the County. CCHLT supports strategies that reduce energy costs and consumption and foster pedestrian and transit-oriented communities.

Community Control: To promote the general social welfare of the County and to maintain the historic and aesthetic qualities of the County communities. Members of CCHLT elect a Board of Directors from three (3) stakeholder groups: residents of our homes or low- to moderate-income people, representatives from our partner organizations and the general public.

Good Reads

  • What is affordable housing?

    Nuts and bolts about affordable housing in Centre County. [read more]

  • Why Centre County?

    a great place to live, work and play. [read more]

  • Community Land Trust model

    Explanation of the Community Land Trust Model. [read more]

  • Defining the need

    Most recent data on housing in Centre County. [read more]