Central Wisconsin Community Land Trust
Beginning in 2023, CAP Services, the City of Stevens Point, UW Extension – Portage County, and other local partners came together to learn about community land trusts. In 2024, that work led to the creation of the Founding Board of Directors for the newly forming organization, with initial focus on the Portage County area. In early 2026, the founding board evolved and updated their name to the Central Wisconsin Community Land Trust.
Mission:
The mission of the Central Wisconsin Community Land Trust (Central Wisconsin CLT) is to establish and maintain permanently affordable, owner-occupied housing in Central Wisconsin for people with low incomes.
What are CLTs?
A CLT is a nonprofit, community-based organization that connects local properties and homebuyers with the intent of preserving long-term housing affordability and other community benefits.
- Affordable purchase price for a specific geography
- Resale-restricted to income-eligible buyers, preserving long-term affordability
- Never a vacation home or short-term rental
Want to learn more? Check out:
How can you get involved?
- Volunteer as a board or workgroup member – fill out the Board Interest Form or contact one of our board members for more information!
- Donate to the Central Wisconsin Community Land Trust Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin.
Current Board Members:
- Katie Livernash – President
- UW Madison Division of Extension – Portage County, Community Development Educator
- katie.livernash@wisc.edu
- Matt Rice – Vice President
- Community Member
- matt.mike.rice@gmail.com
- Jean Drinkwine – Vice President-Elect
- Summit Credit Union, Mortgage Loan Officer
- jean.drinkwine@summitcreditunion.com
- Kristy SeBlonka – Treasurer
- CAP Services, Planning and Impact Director
- kseblonka@capmail.org
- Gregg Hansel – Board Member
- Community Member
- ghansel7@gmail.com
- Rev. Ashley Hood – Board Member
- Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pastor
- revashleyelizabeth@gmail.com
- Sarah Watson – Board Member
- City of Wausau Alder and Marathon County Board Supervisor y
- sarah.watson@wausauwi.gov
Board members represent their organizations and/or are interested community members. Partners on this effort have included:
Our Story
- Per the Grounded Solutions Network, “In community land trusts, a nonprofit corporation owns the land and provides a long-term lease to the resident, who owns the structure.”
- In their 2022 Community Needs Assessment, CAP Services identified community land trusts as a model to explore to create more permanent affordable housing in the area. CAP is a 501c3 community action agency focused on antipoverty work. CAP also operates a CDFI, Community Assets for People.
- The City of Stevens Point Housing Task Force also identified community land trusts as a model to explore.
- In 2023, the City of Stevens Point Redevelopment Authority provided $12,000 to work with a CLT consultant to provide technical assistance. A CLT workgroup was formed, and they worked with the consultant from Fall 2023-Spring 2024 to understand and develop items such as: bylaws, resale formula, ground lease, budget template and start-up budget, and other start-up research.
- In June 2024, the workgroup transitioned to a “Founding Board”, initially focusing on the Portage County area. In 2026, the board expanded to include a broader geography, and changed it’s name to the Central Wisconsin CLT.