Educational Media Reviews Online

Land trusts are non profit community based organizations that provide affordable housing to low income families. Land trusts buy up derelict or abandoned housing in poor neighborhoods rehabilitate them and subsequently sell the houses at a reduced price to local low income families. The land trust owns the land, but the family owns the house. This policy effectively eliminates predatory absentee landlords and speculators who buy up cheap real estate.

Community Land Trusts in Action examines three different land trusts: Durham, North Carolina, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Burlington, Vermont. The Burlington Land Trust was the oldest, started in 1983, and had the most support from local government. The Albuquerque "sawmill" Land Trust was just beginning and did not have any houses available for purchase. The Durham North Carolina Land Trust was not as old as Burlington, but larger and more established than Albuquerque.

Community Land Trusts in Action is a very well edited video. Transitions between scenes happen about every twenty seconds. This brisk pace keeps the presentation interesting and lively. The jazz music used in this production is both unobtrusive and entertaining. The narration is professional and to the point. Video color and light are vivid and well balanced.

Every interviewee in this documentary was enthusiastic about land trusts, and their enthusiasm was contagious. Although specific steps to establish a land trust are not covered, this video is still an excellent introduction to community land trusts. Groups thinking about forming a community land trust will want this video. Moreover, this interesting video would be of value to public library collections, particularly in urban environments. In addition, academic Libraries will find this video valuable for urban planning classes. Community Land Trusts in Action is highly recommend.