Shelter Island’s Affordable Housing Initiative: Survey Requirements for Community Land Trust Properties

Shelter Island’s Affordable Housing Initiative Requires Specialized Surveying Expertise for Community Land Trust Success

As Shelter Island grapples with a housing crisis where median property prices have reached $1.4 million, the island’s affordable housing initiatives are turning to innovative solutions like Community Land Trust (CLT) programs. These initiatives require specialized land surveying services to ensure proper property documentation, boundary establishment, and legal compliance—making professional surveying an essential component of successful affordable housing development.

Understanding Shelter Island’s Community Land Trust Initiative

The Community Land Trust is an initiative begun in 2018 by the Long Island Housing Partnership. The Partnership says in its mission statement that its aim is to “provide affordable housing opportunities to those who, through the ordinary, unaided operation of the marketplace, would be unable to secure, or remain in, a decent and safe home.” This program operates by acquiring multiple parcels of land throughout a geographic area with the intention of retaining ownership of these parcels forever. The new homeowner owns the home on a parcel and the land remains in the Community Land Trust, thereby making the home more affordable. The Trust “retains” the land “for the community and never sells it” and “provides a very long-term lease of land, typically 99 years, for the exclusive use by individual homeowners.”

The Long Island Housing Partnership’s CLT program has already acquired property for this initiative in Smithtown, in Patchogue and Bellport in Brookhaven Town, in Melville in Huntington Town, and in Babylon Town, with purchase eligibility extending to East Hampton, Huntington, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Smithtown, Southampton and Southold.

Critical Survey Requirements for CLT Properties

Community Land Trust properties present unique surveying challenges that require specialized expertise. The lender must ensure that the appraiser is knowledgeable and experienced in the appraisal techniques, namely the direct capitalization and the market derivation of capitalization rates that are necessary to appraise a property subject to a leasehold estate held by a community land trust. This complexity extends to the surveying requirements as well.

Key surveying needs for CLT properties include:

  • Boundary Surveys: Boundary Surveys establish property lines, confirm accurate property corners as described in a deed, reveal easements, encroachments, and adherence to state or local regulations. For CLT properties, precise boundary identification is crucial since the land ownership structure differs from traditional fee-simple ownership.
  • Ground Lease Documentation: The Notice of Lease, description of the property leased, and the Land Use Plan are recorded at the registry of deeds after signing. Accurate surveying ensures these legal documents reflect the true property boundaries and characteristics.
  • Compliance with Special Restrictions: The resale restrictions, as well as other restrictions that may be included in the ground lease, can also affect the value of the property. Fannie Mae requires the Community Land Trust Ground Lease Rider, that the lender and the borrower must execute, to remove such restrictions from the community land trust’s ground lease.

Why Professional Surveying Matters for CLT Success

The unique legal structure of Community Land Trusts makes professional surveying essential for several reasons. Traditionally, CLTs achieved and maintained affordability by retaining ownership of the land and requiring the homebuyer to purchase only the home that is situated on the land. CLTs typically maintain long-term affordability by building resale conditions into the long-term ground lease that accompanies purchase of the structure.

For property owners and developers participating in Shelter Island’s affordable housing initiatives, working with an experienced surveyor Shelter Island ensures that all legal requirements are met and that the complex land ownership arrangements are properly documented. This is particularly important given that the lender’s file must contains documentation that the community land trust has community support, local market acceptance and 2 years of prior experience in providing affordable housing.

Island Wide Land Surveyors: Your CLT Partner

Island Wide Land Surveyors brings invaluable expertise to Shelter Island’s affordable housing initiatives. With over five decades of service in Nassau & Suffolk County NY, we bring unparalleled expertise in land surveying. Our commitment to professionalism, reliability, and rapid response sets us apart. The company’s unwavering dedication to excellence in land surveying, coupled with our exclusive focus on this field, has earned us an esteemed reputation in the industry. Island-Wide is your trusted source for exceptional and prompt surveying service.

Located in Syosset, NY and established in 1970, Island Wide Land Surveyors understands the unique challenges of Long Island properties. Their comprehensive services include boundary surveys that establish property lines, confirm accurate property corners as described in a deed, reveal easements, encroachments, and adherence to state or local regulations—all critical components for CLT property development.

Moving Forward with Confidence

As Shelter Island affordable housing initiatives continue moving forward, the need for specialized surveying services becomes increasingly important. Community Land Trust properties require meticulous attention to legal details, precise boundary documentation, and understanding of complex ownership structures. Island Wide Land Surveyors tailors each project to specific requirements, ensuring timely delivery of survey results. Their ongoing, reliable land surveyors services continues to satisfy existing clients while attracting those who value proven excellence.

For property owners, developers, and community organizations participating in Shelter Island’s affordable housing initiatives, partnering with experienced surveyors ensures that CLT properties meet all legal requirements and support the long-term success of these vital community programs. With proper surveying documentation, these innovative housing solutions can provide sustainable affordability while maintaining the legal precision necessary for successful property transactions and long-term community benefit.