Providing quality, affordable homes to low-to medium income families
and holding the land in trust for our future generations.

What is SHARE?
S.H.A.R.E. stand for Securing Homes on Affordable Real Estate. It was established in 1998 by Upper Valley M.E.N.D out of its concern for the rising costs of housing in our area. Upper Valley MEND is an independent, nonprofit, Christian service organization known for its work through the Community Cupboard food bank and thrift store. It also provides other emergency services in the Upper Valley. M.E.N.D. stands for Meeting Each Need with Dignity, and this philosophy is also behind its new effort through the S.H.A.R.E. Community Land Trust.

Why do we need SHARE?
We live in a small, beautiful valley. This fact is a great blessing, but a curse when it comes to housing costs. Limited available land and its desirability by so many people forces the cost of housing and land beyond what many can afford. People such as store clerks, housekeepers, teachers, foresters, agricultural workers, artists, and even small shop owners are finding themselves squeezed out of the local housing market. yet all of these are vital to the growth and well being of our community. If this trend continues, we will lose the small town character that is a s vital and special as the natural beauty that surrounds us.

What is a Community Land Trust?
A CLT is a way for a community with high land values to address the need for affordable housing with an emphasis on homeownership. A CLT provides:

• ACCESS:   A CLT uses grant and donations to purchase the land and provide the infrastructure needed for homes.

• AFFORDABILITY:   Becasue the CLT owns the land, the homeowner carries the mortgage on the value of the home only.

• COMMUNITY:   The stability that ownership provides adds to the safety and security of the community.

How it works...
A CLT is a non-profit organization that is controlled by it's members. All those living on CLT land are automatically members. In addition, anyone in the community who supports the goals of the CLT may join by paying a small annual membership fee. The members elect the CLT Board, which acts a a committee of the full MEND board, and is responsible for the decisions concerning the land trust.

SHARE currently completed one neighborhood of 10 homes, Alpine Heights. We are planning a second neighborhood of 10 homes called Aldea Village. In addition, SHARE has built a rental duplex as part of it's Homeowner Training Program.