The Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA) has a Land Trust program which provides a vital stepping stone between renting and home ownership for low income Nevadans. With a Land Trust Shared Equity Homeownership program, NRHA acquires and owns the land upon which a home is built. The buyer purchases the home while NRHA retains ownership of the land. This arrangement enables an ownership opportunity at a reduced cost and the opportunity for home equity gains. NRHA may also refer the buyer to additional funding resources. When the home is sold, equity is divided between the homeowner and NRHA. Per the contract, the resale price of the homes is restricted in order to maintain its long-term affordability. By keeping a portion of the equity gain with NRHA, the home appreciation stays with the home, reducing its cost for the next family. Shared equity homeownership ensures that these homes remain affordable to lower income households on a long-term basis. With NRHA’s Land Trust Shared Equity Homeownership program, communities also benefit by retaining vital workers who otherwise couldn't afford to live in the communities they serve and helping generations of families achieve homeownership with a single initial investment. To learn more about land trusts, visit these sites: National Community Land Network Burlington Associates, a national consulting cooperative specializing in affordable housing