Commonwealth Land Trust
Commonwealth Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that develops, owns, and manages over 450 units of permanent supportive and affordable family housing across Eastern Massachusetts, serving individuals experiencing homelessness, low-income families, and people with disabilities through integrated on-site case management and clinical services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersWest Roxbury, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Commonwealth Land Trust does
Commonwealth Land Trust (CLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 that develops, owns, and manages permanent supportive housing and affordable family housing across Eastern Massachusetts. Originally established to preserve affordable housing during the 1980s real estate boom, CLT pivoted in the early 1990s toward Permanent Supportive Housing in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis and rising homelessness, integrating on-site medical case management, harm reduction programming, mental health counseling, and recovery support into its housing operations. The organization now manages over 450 units across Boston (Roxbury, Dorchester, South End, Downtown), Chelsea, Lawrence, and a new 40-unit development under construction in Lynn, serving individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities.
CLT's operations are built around three integrated product lines: Permanent Supportive Housing (single-room occupancy units paired with on-site case management), Family Housing (1-4 bedroom units in Roxbury and Chelsea), and Clinical Programs (case management, harm reduction, mental health services). The technology stack is conventional rather than proprietary — the organization relies on RentCafe for resident rent payment and work order management, Constant Contact for email communications, and standard productivity tools. There is no bespoke platform, mobile application, or data infrastructure described in the available material.
CLT's revenue model blends four streams: government grants and subsidies (federal and state sources including DHCD, Housing Trust Fund, Housing Innovations Fund, Section 8, MA Rental Voucher Program, HOPWA), philanthropic donations (individual, corporate such as Procter & Gamble in-kind contributions, and foundation grants including Cummings Foundation), rental income from residents (subsidized through vouchers and income-based pricing at 30% of Boston Area Median Income), and special event fundraising such as the Winter Walk. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via walk-in intake ("Intake Tuesdays") and through referrals from a network of over 50 healthcare and social service partners including Boston Health Care for the Homeless, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, Fenway Health, and the Boston Housing Authority.
Commonwealth Land Trust firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Commonwealth Land Trust
- Legal name
- Commonwealth Land Trust, Inc.
- Website
- https://commonwealthlandtrust.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Commonwealth Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that develops, owns, and manages over 450 units of permanent supportive and affordable family housing across Eastern Massachusetts, serving individuals experiencing homelessness, low-income families, and people with disabilities through integrated on-site case management and clinical services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Commonwealth Land Trust industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Affordable and Supportive Housing
- NAICS
- Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Other Residential Care Facilities (62399)
- SIC
- Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8) (BPAJAFAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management (BPAJAMAI), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)
Keywords
Where Commonwealth Land Trust is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Roxbury
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Commonwealth Land Trust business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Grants and Subsidies: CLT receives government funding from federal and state sources including Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Housing Trust Fund, Housing Innovations Fund, and municipal sources. They participate in programs like Section 8, MA Rental Voucher Program, HOPWA, and MA Housing and Shelter Alliance initiatives.
- Philanthropic Donations: CLT raises funds through individual donations, corporate partnerships (such as Procter & Gamble donations of hygiene supplies), and foundation grants including Cummings Foundation grants.
- Rental Income: CLT generates rental income from residents in their affordable housing units. Most residents pay rent through various subsidy programs, with some paying based on income.
- Special Events and Fundraising: CLT participates in events like Winter Walk, Boston's largest annual event to raise awareness and money for homelessness.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Income-Based Rental Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Commonwealth Land Trust product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Commonwealth Land Trust operates a portfolio of affordable and supportive housing across Eastern Massachusetts, managing more than 450 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (single-room occupancy with on-site case management) and Family Housing (1-4 bedroom units). The organization combines property management with on-site Clinical Programs including medical case management, harm reduction, mental health counseling, and recovery support to help vulnerable residents experiencing homelessness, disabilities, and chronic health conditions maintain stable housing.
Product overview
Commonwealth Land Trust operates a multi-product affordable and supportive housing portfolio in Eastern Massachusetts. The organization provides two main housing products: Permanent Supportive Housing (offering single-room occupancy units with on-site case management in Boston, Dorchester, and Lawrence totaling over 380 units) and Family Housing (1-4 bedroom units for families in Roxbury and Chelsea totaling 113 units). Clinical Programs providing on-site case management, harm reduction, and mental health counseling support all housing residents. The organization also offers Intake Tuesday walk-in services for housing referrals. Residents access rent payment and maintenance services through a third-party Resident Portal platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Permanent Supportive Housing
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% of residents remain in permanent housing
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Commonwealth Land Trust
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Commonwealth Land Trust technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Commonwealth Land Trust partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Massachusetts Coalition for the HomelessmajorPartner in CLT's Lynn development project. Hosted groundbreaking ceremony and providing collaborative support for the new 40-unit supportive housing development.
- Boston Health Care for the Homeless ProgramcoreHealthcare partner providing services to CLT residents. Part of CLT's network of 50+ community partners.
- Boston Housing AuthoritycoreGovernment housing partner providing rental assistance vouchers for CLT residents. Ongoing partnership for affordable housing development.
- Massachusetts General HospitalcoreHealthcare partner providing medical services and support to CLT residents. Part of CLT's community partner network.
- Boston Medical CentercoreHealthcare partner serving CLT residents. Part of extensive community health center network partnership.
- Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance (MHSA)coreLong-standing strategic partner for over 20 years. MHSA has collaborated with CLT on Pay for Success, Home and Healthy for Good, and other housing solutions to homelessness. Executive Director Joyce Tavon spoke at CLT events.
- Fenway HealthcoreHealthcare partner specializing in LGBTQ+ health and HIV services. Part of CLT's community health partner network.
- Brigham and Women's HospitalcoreHealthcare partner providing medical services to CLT residents. Part of hospital network community benefit programs.
- ABCD (Action for Boston's Community Development)majorCommunity development organization and anti-poverty agency. Part of CLT's network of community partners.
- SV Design Architecture + InteriorsmajorArchitecture firm designing CLT's Lynn development. Created sustainable design with Passive House standards.
- Procter & GambleminorCorporate donor providing hygiene and cleaning supplies (shampoo, razors, toothpaste, soap) to CLT residents.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Commonwealth Land Trust competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pine Street Inn: Boston-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and street outreach for individuals experiencing homelessness. Operates a similar integrated housing-plus-services model and competes for the same DHCD and state funding pools.
- Heading Home: Cambridge-based nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing across Greater Boston, with a similar Housing First orientation and comparable funding sources (DHCD, MHSA, federal vouchers).
- Casa Esperanza: Boston-based nonprofit providing supportive housing and behavioral health services primarily for Latino families and individuals affected by homelessness, addiction, and HIV/AIDS. Highly comparable target population and service model to CLT.
- St. Francis House: Boston-based nonprofit offering day services, supportive housing, and workforce programs for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty. Shares CLT's integrated services-plus-housing approach and target population.
Broad incumbents
- Boston Housing Authority: Public housing authority managing over 13,000 public housing units and administering federal vouchers across Boston. A much larger established player in the same affordable housing ecosystem that CLT draws residents from and partners with.
Regional players
- The Neighborhood Developers: Chelsea-based community development corporation building affordable housing and supporting residents in Chelsea and Revere — directly adjacent to CLT's existing Chelsea family housing footprint, making it a strong local peer.
- Father Bill's & MainSpring: Nonprofit operating emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and prevention programs in the Brockton/South Shore region of Massachusetts. Comparable service model with similar state/federal funding base, but operating in a different sub-region of the state.
- Harborlight Community Partners: North Shore Massachusetts nonprofit providing affordable and supportive housing for families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Directly comparable affordable housing developer with overlapping LIHTC and state funding sources, but serving a different sub-region.
Emerging players
- Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program: Boston-based nonprofit providing medical care for individuals experiencing homelessness, including medical-respite programs. A core CLT clinical partner with adjacent capability in the housing-plus-healthcare continuum.
Others
- Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance: Statewide nonprofit coalition of housing and shelter providers, including CLT as a long-standing member. Coordinates Pay for Success, Home and Healthy for Good, and policy advocacy — more of an ecosystem/coalition partner than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Commonwealth Land Trust social profiles
Digital presenceCommonwealth Land Trust financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Commonwealth Land Trust leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Commonwealth Land Trust funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Commonwealth Land Trust M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Commonwealth Land Trust
What does Commonwealth Land Trust do?
Commonwealth Land Trust operates a portfolio of affordable and supportive housing across Eastern Massachusetts, managing more than 450 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (single-room occupancy with on-site case management) and Family Housing (1-4 bedroom units). The organization combines property management with on-site Clinical Programs including medical case management, harm reduction, mental health counseling, and recovery support to help vulnerable residents experiencing homelessness, disabilities, and chronic health conditions maintain stable housing.
Is Commonwealth Land Trust a public or private company?
Commonwealth Land Trust is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Commonwealth Land Trust founded?
Commonwealth Land Trust was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Commonwealth Land Trust based?
Commonwealth Land Trust is headquartered in West Roxbury, United States, in the North America region.
How does Commonwealth Land Trust make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Subsidies are the primary driver. The others are philanthropic Donations, rental Income and special Events and Fundraising.
Who are Commonwealth Land Trust's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pine Street Inn, Heading Home, Casa Esperanza and St. Francis House. Boston Housing Authority is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are The Neighborhood Developers, Father Bill's & MainSpring and Harborlight Community Partners. Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is listed as an emerging player. Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance is listed as an others.
Does Commonwealth Land Trust have an API?
No public API is recorded for Commonwealth Land Trust.
What industry is Commonwealth Land Trust in?
Commonwealth Land Trust's product category is Affordable and Supportive Housing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAJAFAD, Affordable & Subsidized Housing Property Management (LIHTC, Section 8), with a secondary code of BPAJAMAI, Affordable & Public Housing Asset Management. Its NAICS code is 623990 and its SIC code is 6531.