Affordable Home Ownership Program

In 1989, recognizing that Cornwall land prices had outpaced the incomes of young people who wished to live here, the CHC established the Parcel Program. Under this program, the CHC leases parcels of land to prospective homeowners, saving them the considerable expense of paying for land as well as for a house. Driveways and a generous portion of well costs are also underwritten by the CHC. The new owners pay property taxes on land and improvements, while lease provisions insure that the homes will remain affordable for any future buyer.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has cooperated in this program by enacting various housing-friendly special permit opportunities for the creation of town or non-profit sponsored affordable lots. Such lots may be smaller than the underlying zone would otherwise allow, and they may be clustered more densely. Through gifts of land and below-market purchases, fifteen sites (eleven with existing houses) have been acquired. The CHC continues to see additional parcels and funds for the program.