When public funds or charitable donations make it possible, ACLT can work with qualified home buyers to purchase a home in Amherst, MA. We previously obtained Community Development Funds from the Town of Amherst that allowed two families purchase homes in Amherst. We hope to raise the funds needed to re-activate this program in the future.

How it works:

1. Income eligibility of first-time home buyers will be determined by the Valley Community Development Corporation (Valley CDC). Applicants are screened in the order received.
2. The successful applicant will shop for an affordable home in Amherst. Potential home buyers are urged to think creatively.  For instance, owning a home can be less expensive than renting and it might be possible to approach your landlord to offer to buy the home you currently rent.
3. The Amherst Community Land Trust will provide a subsidy toward the purchase price of the chosen home, reducing the price to the home buyer. The land under the house will be owned by the trust.
4. The buyer will enter into a long-term (99-year) ground lease with, and become a member of, the Amherst Community Land Trust.

• ACLT_GroundLease_June.2023
• Guide-to-the-ACLT-Groundlease

The program information packet from previous First-Time HomeBuyer opportunities can be downloaded here.