MINT: Housing by the Community, for the Community
The Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust (MINT) model creates permanent, affordable housing by putting ownership and decision-making power back with residents.
Preserve Greater Golden Hill was formed in response to irresponsible, density-focused development in our neighborhood. We were—and remain—deeply concerned about the impacts on affordable housing, displacement, and the loss of community. We’ve seen long-time residents pushed out of the neighborhoods they’ve called home for decades due to rising housing costs and speculative development. Something had to change.
Searching for a Better Way
As we searched for community-led solutions, we discovered Trust Neighborhoods, a national nonprofit that created the Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust (MINT) model.
After speaking with the team at Trust Neighborhoods, we saw real potential in the MINT approach. It could be a powerful antidote to corporate interests buying up properties, driving up prices, and accelerating displacement. Just as importantly, it offers a way for communities to own and protect affordable housing long-term.
Building a Team for Change
We’ve assembled an exploration team made up of local residents, funders, universities, and nonprofit affordable housing developers to explore how the MINT model could work in our neighborhood.
Our initial goals include:
Minimize displacement and expand affordability: Support and retain the full racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of our neighborhood.
Support “gentle infill” development: Add new housing that respects the character of the neighborhood—ensuring access to outdoor space, walkability, and community safety.
Preserve vulnerable housing: Protect distressed historic homes and naturally occurring affordable housing at risk of demolition or corporate acquisition.
Improve property management: Replace irresponsible landlords with community-centered property managers. Explore cooperative housing models that train local residents to manage housing, as seen in nearby communities like Escondido.
Create pathways to homeownership: Explore options that help renters build equity and eventually own their homes.
Prioritize local labor and businesses: Use neighborhood-based contractors and workers for both renovations and new construction projects.
What’s Next?
We’re still in the early exploration phase with Trust Neighborhoods, but we’re excited about the possibilities. This work takes time, care, and community input.
Check back for updates as we continue exploring how this model could help preserve and strengthen our neighborhood for the long term.
FAQs
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The Mixed-Income Neighborhood Trust (MINT) is a community ownership approach developed by Trust Neighborhoods. It allows residents, nonprofits, and local partners to collectively own and manage housing so affordability is protected long-term.
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Unlike short-term subsidies or developer-driven projects, MINT keeps housing permanently affordable by removing it from speculative markets. It emphasizes community control, gentle infill that respects neighborhood character, and reinvestment of revenue back into local priorities.
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MINT is a relatively new model being piloted in cities across the U.S. Each neighborhood adapts it to fit local needs. Here in Golden Hill, we’re in the early exploration phase with residents, funders, and housing partners to see how it could work for our community.