Building Community Through Action At Southern Door Community Land Trust, we are dedicated to creating lasting, community-led solutions to housing challenges in Broome County. Our diverse initiatives focus on education, empowerment, and sustainable development to ensure that all residents have access to safe, affordable, and stable housing. Explore our projects below to see how we're turning these commitments into tangible outcomes. CLT Ambassador Program Rooted in community leadership, this project supports residents in learning about Community Land Trusts while developing local solutions to housing challenges. Participants receive a stipend as they build skills, lead initiatives, and help create stable, affordable housing in Broome County. Youth Story Corps This youth-led media project uses storytelling and film to explore housing justice in Broome County. Through workshops and creative collaboration, participants gain real-world skills in interviewing, filmmaking, and advocacy. The result: powerful documentaries that highlight the voices and experiences of young people working toward change. Housing Justice Talks This ongoing community forum brings together residents, advocates, and housing stakeholders to shape the future of affordable housing in Broome County. Through open monthly meetings, participants share ideas, address local challenges, and work together to create lasting solutions that make housing more accessible for all. HUD Housing Educators This training initiative prepares community members to become certified HUD housing counselors, helping others navigate the path to homeownership. Rooted in lived experience, the program builds trust and connection by uplifting local leaders who have overcome housing barriers themselves. It also offers youth development in areas like storytelling, outreach, and media, supporting the next generation of advocates.

Get to know our team better! This page is all about us - our background, interests, and what we're passionate about. Discover our skills, experience, and what drives us to do what we do. OUR TEAM Get to Know the Faces behind Southern Door Community Land Trust Since its founding in 2019, the Southern Door Community Land Trust has developed and grown exponentially—We'reproud of our staff's expertise and ability to contribute their unique experience and skills to our success. HAJRA AZIZ Executive Director Hajra is a licensed social worker who focuses on social work for social justice. As a long-time resident, community advocate, and mother of four, Hajra finds it imperative to get involved in work that will uplift and empower historically marginalized folks. Since coming on board as the Executive Director of the SDCLT Hajra has been keenly focused on developing relationships with stakeholders, community leaders, residents and power brokers in an effort to develop a footprint in the community around housing justice. ADA ROBINSON-PEREZ SDCLT Board President Ada Robinson-Perez, PhD, LMSW, CEAP Ada Robinson-Perez is a licensed social worker with over 25 years of experience serving communities across upstate New York. She has led an internal Employee Assistance Program and provided mental health services for children and families. Currently, she works at Binghamton University in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as the affirmative action officer and ADA Coordinator. Ada holds a PhD in Community Research and Action from Binghamton University (2019) and an MSW from Syracuse University (2001). She also holds certifications in employee assistance and affirmative action/EEO practice. Her academic and professional background includes work as a social work professor and a therapist/consultant in the local community. Her research explores topics such as the mental health impact of racial microaggressions, the experiences of intersectional identities, and class-based dynamics in rural school parent engagement. Ada has served in leadership roles on nonprofit boards focused on women, children, families, and charter school development. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, traveling, and singing karaoke. SDCLT BOARD MEMBERS KHADEJAH AZIZ (Secretary) Khadejah is an Upstate NY native and a SUNY Broome graduate of Criminal Justice and Community Policing. She has had her fair share of experiences with a lack of access to affordable, safe, and energy-efficient housing, which has developed into a proactive approach to righting the wrongs of housing injustice. KORSAH AKUMFI Korsah has been a Binghamton resident since 2015. As a renter, Korsah has experienced firsthand the difficulties people encounter in getting a house and making it a home for themselves and their families. Korsah strongly believes there is a need for an occupant to have a say in how their homes are managed and cared for by landlords. Korsah strongly believes that community residents have a vested interest in living spaces just as much as homeowners. CHARLES LOVE (Treasure Manager) With 38 years of experience in financial and operational leadership, I’ve built a career in budget development, financial analysis, project management, and administrative support—first in high-tech industries, and later in higher education. I’ve held roles of increasing responsibility, from senior financial analyst to finance director, and contributed to cross-functional teams managing finance, HR, facilities, payroll, and accounting operations. One of the most meaningful experiences in my career was helping launch a mentoring program for at-risk middle school students in the Oakland Unified School District in Oakland, CA. I’m proud to support the mission of the Southern Door Community Land Trust and the essential services it provides. I understand how critical stable, adequate housing is to the physical and mental well-being of individuals and families in our community. AMBER JOHNSON SHAKEEMA BROWN Amber Johnson has a strong passion for social justice with a racial justice lens. She has been a community organizer for 5+ years, loving environmental and housing justice. Amber is a founding member of the CLT. She finds good reason to invest her time in local housing crises due to many other community connections, such as working with Citizen Action and Binghamton Regional Sustainable Communities. Shakeema Brown owns Aligned Elevation Coaching and Consulting LLC, which provides comprehensive and interactive training programs that cultivate thriving individuals and inclusive, sustainable work environments. With a profound passion for social justice, racial equity, personal/professional advancement, and development, Shakeema drives meaningful change and fosters environments where everyone can succeed. In her career, she has amassed significant experience in roles that underscore her dedication to improving overall wellness and quality of life for her community.

Get in Touch First name* Last name* Email* Phone Message* Submit Contact Details Address 42 Chenango Street Binghamton, New York 13901 Email communitylandtrust@southerndoor.org Phone 607-358-3937 Social Media

The Southern Door CLT is a grassroots coalition of housing justice advocates that launched a community land trust based right here in Broome County, NY. SOUTHERN DOOR COMMUNITY LAND TRUST "Land is the basis of freedom, justice and equality" -Malcolm X. A Future Where Everyone Thrives At SDCLT, we believe that thriving communities start with access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. We are working to build a future where every person — regardless of background, income, or circumstance — has the opportunity to live with dignity and security. Through long-term stewardship of land and a commitment to housing equity, we aim to remove barriers, prevent displacement, and promote lasting community well-being. Our approach centers people, not profit — because homes should be for living, not for speculation. HOUSING CONTINUUM A housing continuum is the progression of individuals along a housing-focused continuum with homelessness at one end and home ownership at the other. A successful housing system has people moving up the Housing Continuum. HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT! At the Southern Door Community Land Trust (SDCLT), we are driven by commitment, transparency, and innovation. Since 2019, we've worked passionately to increase access to resources and empower vulnerable communities in Broome County. As a registered nonprofit with 501c3 tax-exempt status, we believe in transparency and accountability in everything we do. We tackle the housing crisis with creative solutions, striving for lasting change. Please support our mission by becoming a donor today! Thank You—Let’s do the work together. Donate via PayPal!

Learn about our HUD Housing Educators. HUD HOUSING EDUCATORS The SDCLT has launched the HUD Housing Educator Program, a pioneering initiative in Broome County aimed at increasing homeownership representation within the BIPOC community. This unique program provides training in HUD Housing Counseling, equipping participants with the knowledge to pass the housing counseling exam. Upon certification, participants are encouraged to “pay it forward” by guiding other historically marginalized residents through the essential steps of the homeownership journey. What sets this program apart is its emphasis on lived experience. The SDCLT has designed it to include educators who have personally faced challenges like poverty, racial discrimination, and gender bias, fostering deeper connections and trust within the community. Additionally, the program offers youth development opportunities in housing, food, and racial justice, helping young people build career-ready skills in storytelling, interviewing, community outreach, film, photography, and editing. Interested in making a difference? Join us in empowering Broome County residents toward homeownership and community transformation. Email your Inquiry!

Learn about our Youth Story Corps. YOUTH STORY CORPS When the SDCLT launched, a key goal was to involve Broome County’s young people in spreading awareness of how Community Land Trusts (CLTs) can advance housing justice. In summer 2020, SDCLT partnered with VINES Gardens to work with local youth on housing justice advocacy through media. This collaboration exceeded expectations, resulting in two powerful documentaries, Housing is a Human Right and Housing in the Time of COVID, produced in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Both films showcase youth perspectives on housing justice and are available on YouTube. This program not only empowered participants to learn about housing justice but also helped them build practical skills for future careers. Through storytelling, interviewing, community outreach, film, and photography, young people explored the intersectionality of housing, food, and racial justice. SDCLT is proud of their work and excited to continue this program, offering more youth the chance to make an impact. Stay tuned for upcoming details! Let us know if you want more info!

Learn about our CLT Ambassador Program. AMBASSADOR PROGRAM “WHAT IS THIS?” The Southern Door Community Land Trust (SDCLT) is a new, resident-led initiative focused on affordable housing and racial justice in Binghamton. Formed by a coalition of local advocates, SDCLT empowers community members to take action for housing justice and supports solutions like community-owned housing, ending exploitative landlord practices. Through our program, participants receive a stipend to learn about Community Land Trusts (CLTs) and lead projects to address housing inequality. Together, we’re building a network of residents dedicated to creating stable, affordable housing and lasting change for all in Broome County. Join us in making housing justice a reality! Building community, one home at a time

Learn about our Housing Justice Talks. HOUSING JUSTICE TALKS Affordable housing is essential for building a vibrant, inclusive Broome County. This community-led initiative brings together local residents, stakeholders, and advocates to shape the future of affordable housing, ensuring everyone has access to secure and affordable homes. By joining our monthly virtual meetings, you’ll be part of an open forum where we discuss challenges, brainstorm ideas, and work toward practical solutions that benefit everyone in our community. Your voice matters! Whether you’re a resident, property owner, developer, or simply passionate about housing equity, your insights will directly impact our shared goals. Let’s collaborate to make affordable housing a priority and create a brighter future for Broome County. Register today to stay involved, contribute to the conversation, and help us build a community where everyone can thrive.

Learn about our Upcoming Events and what is planned for the future of housing justice. Senator's Visit to SDCLT The Southern Community Land Trust is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking milestone in our mission to provide affordable housing in Broome County! We are proud to kick off our first gut rehab project, marking the area’s first permanently affordable housing initiative. This transformative project has garnered enthusiastic support from NYS Senator Leah Webb, who emphasized the critical need for affordable housing options for marginalized and low-income residents. “Investing in affordable housing is essential to fostering a thriving community,” Senator Webb stated. As we embark on this exciting journey, stay tuned for more updates as we secure funding to propel the rehab efforts in 2025. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all residents of Broome County!

Learn about our organization's culture and values of how we became to be Binghamton's only land trust! Application Form Full Name(Required) Email Address Historical Rental Information Current Landlord's Name(Required) Current Landlord's Phone Number(Required) Previous Rental History (List last two addresses) Address 1 Duration of Stay and Reason for Leaving Address 2 Duration of Stay and Reason for Leaving Employment Information Current Employer(Required) Job Title Length of Employment Monthly Income Amount Next