Community Land Trust

The City of Bradenton's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is soliciting proposals from qualified non-profit organizations to develop and manage a Community Land Trust (CLT) through a Request for Proposal (RFP) released on December 18, 2025. The primary objective is to create a non-profit entity that supports and preserves affordable housing by acquiring property and separating land ownership from building improvements, ensuring long-term housing affordability. Proposers must be 501(c)(3) organizations with at least three years of organizational history and experience in residential real estate development or affordable housing programs. The scope of work includes reviewing housing needs documentation, providing legal and regulatory compliance guidance, developing a strategic financial plan, implementing community engagement activities, and delivering comprehensive operational support. Evaluation criteria will assess Community Immersion (20 points), Capacity to Administer Housing Support Programs (30 points), Approach to Implement and Maintain CLT (30 points), and Compensation/Financial Capacity (20 points). Key dates include a proposal submission deadline of January 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM, with questions due by January 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM. An evaluation meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2026, with proposer presentations on February 9, 2026, and a contract award anticipated for February 25, 2026.

The opportunity is specifically restricted to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, with a requirement that the selected organization obtain Community Land Trust certification from the Florida Community Land Trust Institute before executing the final agreement. The CRA will provide funding through multiple sources, including Increment Revenue, General Funds, Community Development Block Grants, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funds, though specific funding amounts will be determined through negotiation and approval. The CRA currently manages a real estate portfolio of 16 parcels supporting approximately 18 affordable housing units, with two additional properties under contract expected to close in fiscal year 2025/26, potentially expanding to support up to 32 units. While no incumbent vendors are explicitly mentioned, the successful proposer will be expected to work within the existing infrastructure of the City of Bradenton's Community Redevelopment Agency and integrate with their current affordable housing strategy. The precise award value is not specified in the documentation, but funding will be allocated from multiple municipal and state housing support programs to support the Community Land Trust's operational and development objectives.