About the Institute for Community Economics (ICE)

ICE, founded in 1967, is a national organization that has promoted the just allocation of resources in communities in ways that address the needs of low-income families. Through technical assistance, financial support, and advocacy, ICE built the capacity of a national network of community land trusts (CLTs) and other locally controlled organizations for permanently affordable housing and community economic development.

History, Purpose & Goals
The founders of ICE developed the CLT model in the 1960s. In the years since that time, ICE has worked with groups in a wide variety of communities around the country to establish local CLTs. In doing this work, ICE also developed a Revolving Loan Fund to provide critical project financing to CLTs and other innovative community organizations. ICE also published a body of literature, written by ICE staff and colleagues in the field, that explains CLTs and provides a "roadmap" for groups wishing to organize themselves to create a CLT in their area.

For many years, ICE has been the primary source of technical assistance and informational materials for a blossoming CLT movement. ICE's programs empowered CLTs and other community-based groups with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and financial resources needed to be effective community development leaders and advocates within their communities. As a result, more than 110 such organizations flourish in cities and towns such as Durham, North Carolina; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Syracuse, New York

With the help of more than 800 individual and institutional investors, ICE's Revolving Loan Fund has also provided more than $44 million in financing to non-profit organizations in 30 states since 1979. ICE is also a leader among Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and has one of the most well established community development loan funds in the nation.

Main Programs
As the preeminent leader of the CLT movement, ICE is the only provider of technical and financial assistance focused on CLT development, and has promoted the movement through loans, consulting services, national conferences and regional training events, videos, and publications.

ICE offers two key programs to CLTs and other community-based organizations:

• Financial Services - In response to the need of local housing organizations for capital to acquire and develop property, ICE established its Revolving Loan Fund in 1979. Since inception, the fund has placed more than 370 loans totaling more than $35 million.
• Technical Assistance - ICE's technical assistance program provides expertise for the creation, training and development of CLTs; for planning their housing and economic development initiatives; and offers training and national networking opportunities for CLT boards, staff and residents.

Major Accomplishments

• ICE's founders created the community land trust (CLT) model, an innovative approach to permanently affordable housing, homeownership, and community revitalization. CLTs give people with lower incomes the opportunity to own their own homes while preserving the affordability of these homes for future residents. In addition, CLTs provide affordable rental housing and mobile home parks; create housing co-ops; develop community facilities; preserve open space; and work with other community groups to promote economic opportunities.
• ICE created the Community Loan Fund model and pioneered a movement that now manages billions of investor dollars in community loan funds throughout the country. ICE also founded Opportunity Finance Network (formally known as the National Community Capital Association), which has helped garner federal support for loan funds and other community development organizations around the country.
• Through its programs of technical and financial assistance, ICE has provided critical support to a burgeoning nationwide CLT movement that has created more than 5,000 permanently affordable homes for lower-income people and families. CLT development over the last 20 years proves the viability and value of this approach, now widely accepted by government policy makers, neighborhood leaders, and urban planners. With ICE's technical assistance, there are 118 CLTs in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Each year, ICE provides technical assistance to approximately 40 to 50 CLTs.
• ICE was instrumental in the creation of the The National CLT Network, a coalition of grassroots CLTS strategically working to advance the CLT movement for social and economic justice nationwide. This Network will greatly enhance the organizing power and visibility of CLTs.