What Is the Bakersfield Community Land Trust? A Conversation with City Councilmember Andrae Gonzales

Can a new approach to homeownership help solve Bakersfield’s housing affordability crisis?
In this episode of Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty sits down with Andrae Gonzales, Bakersfield City Councilmember, to explore the mission and goals of the Bakersfield Community Land Trust—an initiative designed to help local families achieve affordable homeownership in a challenging market.

🎧 Listen to the full episode below:

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What the Bakersfield Community Land Trust is and how it works

• Why this model is different from traditional homeownership

• How homes are priced and what buyers can expect

• Who qualifies for the program

• Why this initiative is especially important for first-time homebuyers in Bakersfield

• The long-term goals and community impact expected from the Land Trust

More About the Bakersfield Community Land Trust
The Bakersfield Community Land Trust is a nonprofit housing initiative that retains ownership of the land while selling the homes to qualified buyers at more accessible prices. The goal? To stabilize neighborhoods, increase long-term homeownership rates, and offer a path to equity for families who have historically been left out of the market.

This community-driven model has been successful in other cities across the country—and now, it's coming to Bakersfield.

👉 Learn more about the Bakersfield Community Land Trust
👉 Visit the City of Bakersfield website

Don’t Miss Our “Open House, Open Mic” Segment
In addition to the interview with Andrae Gonzales, this episode also features four of the hottest open houses in Bakersfield happening this weekend. Whether you’re actively house-hunting or just browsing the market, this is your chance to preview some incredible properties across Kern County.

Ready to Talk Real Estate?
If you have questions about buying or selling in today’s market—or want your home featured on our next Open House, Open Mic segment—reach out to The McCarty Group at 661-665-SOLD or visit themccartygroup.com.