Reclaiming Home: Fighting Displacement and Restoring Black Homeownership

By Kevin Campbell, Executive Director, Raleigh Area Land Trust

The American dream of homeownership has long been out of reach for many Black families, especially in historically Black neighborhoods where rising property values and gentrification have led to widespread displacement. In Raleigh, this unfolds in real-time as communities rich in Black culture and history are reshaped by forces beyond residents’ control.

At Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT), we believe there’s a better way—one that reclaims ownership for historically marginalized communities and ensures that affordable housing is not just a fleeting opportunity but a lasting reality. As we prepare to break ground on The Cottages of Idlewild, we are not just celebrating a construction milestone—we are taking a critical step toward preserving Black homeownership and building generational wealth.

The Community Land Trust Model: A Proven Solution

For too long, the traditional housing market has failed low- to moderate-income families, locking them into an endless cycle of renting with little opportunity to build wealth. The Community Land Trust (CLT) model disrupts this cycle by ensuring land remains permanently affordable. Homebuyers build equity, but the land stays in community ownership, keeping homes affordable for future generations.

The roots of the CLT movement trace back to the civil rights era. In the late 1960s, New Communities, the first CLT in the U.S., was founded in response to racial injustice and land loss among Black farmers. This pioneering effort cemented the connection between homeownership and civil rights—because true equality requires economic empowerment. At the Midwest CLT Conference in October, I was reminded of this history through the powerful film “Arc of Justice,” which tells the story of New Communities. This history deserves greater recognition, particularly during Black History Month.

At RALT, we are not just building homes—we are preserving communities. The Cottages of Idlewild is a direct response to the displacement of Black families, providing affordable homeownership opportunities in a neighborhood where rising property values are pushing long-term residents out. This development is more than housing; it safeguards against the forces historically excluding Black families from homeownership.

The Wealth Gap and the Power of Ownership

While affordable rentals serve an important need, they do not offer the long-term financial security that homeownership provides. Homeownership remains one of the most effective ways to build intergenerational wealth. Yet, Black families have been systematically shut out through redlining, restrictive covenants, and predatory lending.

The consequences are stark. In North Carolina, the median household income for Black families is approximately $34,000—nearly $20,000 less than for white families. In Wake County, the gap exceeds $33,000. These disparities are not incidental; they are the product of systemic discrimination that has denied Black families access to the economic opportunities that homeownership provides.

Since homeownership has long been the primary pathway to wealth-building in America, addressing these inequities requires bold, comprehensive policies that expand access to affordable homeownership. CLTs are a crucial part of the solution, ensuring permanent affordability and creating opportunities for families who have long been excluded from the market.

A Model for the Future

The Cottages of Idlewild is more than a housing development—it’s a blueprint for how cities can tackle housing inequities. By prioritizing affordability, community stability, and wealth-building, we demonstrate that displacement is not an inevitable consequence of growth. Instead, we can actively preserve the culture, history, and people that strengthen our communities.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we must look beyond past achievements and focus on securing the future of Black homeownership. Reclaiming ownership is about more than housing—it’s about justice, equity, and ensuring historically marginalized communities have a stake in the prosperity of the cities they helped build. By expanding the CLT model and advocating for policies that support permanently affordable homeownership, we can empower families to stay in their neighborhoods, build wealth, and create lasting legacies.

Kevin Campbell is a leader in affordable homeownership and community development, currently serving as the Executive Director of Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT). With decades of experience spanning real estate, finance, and nonprofit leadership—including overseeing Habitat for Humanity’s $60 million Puerto Rico Recovery Program—Kevin has helped thousands of families secure stable housing.