For A Time Such As This
By Rev. Connie Tamkin
“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” - Esther 4: 14b
We are still reeling from the devastation of the Eaton Fire, a tragedy that has left over 9,000 buildings in Altadena destroyed and more than a quarter of the residents displaced. The destruction brings to mind what the siege of Jerusalem might have looked like when the Babylonians attacked in 587 BCE.
Now, many are left to wonder how they will rebuild and restore Altadena. I believe that community land trusts could be an important part of these efforts. A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that holds land on behalf of a community to ensure that housing stays affordable. In a 2019 Pasadena Council meeting, a vision was cast by Council Member Margaret McAustin to have a regional community land trust. I was present at that meeting and had some knowledge about community land trusts. I felt moved by the idea and prayed about it for 3 months to determine whether I was being called to bring this vision to fruition.
Now, many are left to wonder how they will rebuild and restore Altadena. I believe that community land trusts could be an important part of these efforts. A Community Land Trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that holds land on behalf of a community to ensure that housing stays affordable. In a 2019 Pasadena Council meeting, a vision was cast by Council Member Margaret McAustin to have a regional community land trust. I was present at that meeting and had some knowledge about community land trusts. I felt moved by the idea and prayed about it for 3 months to determine whether I was being called to bring this vision to fruition.
Eventually, I helped found The San Gabriel Valley Community Land Trust (SGVCLT), a nonprofit for public good which was incorporated in the State of California in 2022, and by the US government in 2023. The SGVCLT is creating a framework that can be used to build community land trusts throughout San Gabriel Valley. Several Altadena residents have reached out with an interest in creating an Altadena-specific CLT.
There is a very strong desire for an economic and racially just recovery that protects residents of Altadena who want to return—resisting outside corporate developers who want to gobble up property. Community land trusts offer one solution by buying and holding land and using the proceeds to aid homeowners with additional capital so they can rebuild
There are still many questions from the community as we move forward. What is going to happen for the 40% plus tenants who have been displaced by the fires? Will there be enough affordable housing? How will seniors, often on limited incomes, be able to return to their properties? What about the numerous faith communities who lost their places of worship and the many parishioners who lost their homes?
It is my hope that The San Gabriel Valley Community Land Trust will be a viable solution for the issues brought up in these questions. Our non-profit exists, “for such a time as this.”
In hope and strength,
Rev. Connie Tamkin
connie@sangabrielvalleyclt.org
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of First United Methodist Church, Pasadena or its affiliates.
There is a very strong desire for an economic and racially just recovery that protects residents of Altadena who want to return—resisting outside corporate developers who want to gobble up property. Community land trusts offer one solution by buying and holding land and using the proceeds to aid homeowners with additional capital so they can rebuild
There are still many questions from the community as we move forward. What is going to happen for the 40% plus tenants who have been displaced by the fires? Will there be enough affordable housing? How will seniors, often on limited incomes, be able to return to their properties? What about the numerous faith communities who lost their places of worship and the many parishioners who lost their homes?
It is my hope that The San Gabriel Valley Community Land Trust will be a viable solution for the issues brought up in these questions. Our non-profit exists, “for such a time as this.”
In hope and strength,
Rev. Connie Tamkin
connie@sangabrielvalleyclt.org
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of First United Methodist Church, Pasadena or its affiliates.
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