Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program

What is Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program?

Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program is a shared-appreciation loan for homebuyers in Columbia, Missouri, administered by Columbia Community Land Trust (nonprofit formed by the City of Columbia).

• The Columbia Community Land Trust is a nonprofit created by the City of Columbia that sells permanently affordable homes to income-eligible buyers while retaining ownership of the underlying land through a long-term ground lease. Buyers obtain a mortgage to purchase the home at a below-market price; resale restrictions keep the home affordable for future low-income households.
• Below-market home purchase price.
• Permanent affordability via land trust.
• Low minimum buyer contribution ($500).
• Housing-counseling supported path to ownership.
• Funding comes from City of Columbia (CDBG/HOME) and CCLT; homes sold below market with retained land ownership.

Do you have to pay it back?

Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program is a shared-appreciation loan and is repaid under the terms set by Columbia Community Land Trust (nonprofit formed by the City of Columbia).

• Repayment is triggered by Permanent-affordability land trust model: homebuyer purchases the house and leases the underlying land via a long-term ground lease; resale price is restricted to preserve affordability for future buyers.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Must not exceed HUD gross income limits effective June 1, 2026: 1 $65,150; 2 $74,450; 3 $83,750; 4 $93,050; 5 $100,500; 6 $107,950; 7 $115,400; 8 $122,850. Housing costs cannot exceed 35% of monthly household income; total debt cannot exceed 45%.
• The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
• The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
• Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program can be used for Single Family.

Where does it apply?

Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program serves buyers purchasing in Columbia, Missouri.

How do you apply?

Applications for Columbia Community Land Trust (CCLT) Homebuyer Program go through Columbia Community Land Trust (nonprofit formed by the City of Columbia), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through HUD-Certified Housing Counselor.

2. 2

   Contact Columbia Community Land Trust (nonprofit formed by the City of Columbia) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

3. 3

   Work with a lender who handles the program

   Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.