Community-Led Homeownership Project Coming to Lakeland: 5021 Lakeland Road

Reviving 5021 Lakeland Road with affordable homeownership for the community.

At tomorrow night’s City Council meeting, we will receive an important presentation from the Community Preservation Trust regarding a proposed permanently affordable home at 5021 Lakeland Road in the historic Lakeland community. This project represents a meaningful step forward in the City’s commitment to restorative justice, neighborhood reinvestment, and community-led development.

Transforming a Vacant City Lot into a Community Asset

The property at 5021 Lakeland Road is currently a City-owned vacant parcel, but under this proposal, it will be transformed into a permanently affordable, owner-occupied home. The project is a collaborative effort between:

• City of College Park

• College Park City-University Partnership (CPCUP) through the Community Preservation Trust

• Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland

• Lakeland Civic Association

• University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation

• Community leaders and residents of Lakeland

Together, these partners are working to honor Lakeland’s history while ensuring that future generations continue to have the opportunity to live and thrive in the community ****.

How the Project Works

According to the project plan, the development model relies on long-term affordability and community partnership:

• The City of College Park will transfer the property to the Community Preservation Trust.

• The Trust will retain ownership of the land under a 99-year renewable land lease, ensuring long-term affordability.

• The home itself will be built by Habitat for Humanity, using volunteer labor and homeowner participation.

• The home will be sold to an income-qualified buyer, potentially someone with a historic or family connection to Lakeland ****.

This structure keeps housing affordable not just for the first buyer—but for every future homeowner as well.

Designed With Residents, For Residents

A major part of this effort is community engagement. The design of the home will be shaped through community workshops (design charrettes) hosted by UMD capstone students and guided by Lakeland residents. These sessions ensure the home reflects Lakeland’s heritage and architectural character while meeting modern needs ****.

Community Impact & Long-Term Vision

The project team outlined several long-term goals that align with College Park’s strategic priorities:

• Revitalize a vacant parcel for community benefit

• Support affordable homeownership and neighborhood stability

• Prevent displacement in historically impacted communities

• Establish a replicable model for affordable ownership in other parts of the city

• Strengthen Lakeland’s legacy for future generations ****

This project builds on years of community advocacy around housing equity and is part of a larger effort to support Lakeland’s future while acknowledging and addressing harms of the past.

Stay Connected

The presentation will take place at tomorrow’s City Council meeting:

📅 Tuesday, October 21, 2025
🕢 7:30 PM
📍 City Hall – Council Chambers or Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/92398574069

I encourage residents—especially those with an interest in affordable housing, community preservation, or Lakeland history—to follow this discussion as it moves forward. I will continue to share updates as the project advances.