Creating Affordable Homes. Strengthening Our Community.

Our Mission

State College Community Land Trust creates, preserves, and stewards permanently affordable, energy-efficient homes for low- and moderate-income, and middle-income households in Centre County, PA.

Home Preservation

Affordable
Homeownership

Long-term
Stewardship

Community Impact

Affordable Homeownership

SCCLT has served 85+ individuals and families through the creation of 58 permanently affordable homes that are protected from market pressures for future generations.

Supporting Pathways to Homeownership

In partnership with The Home Foundation, SCCLT has created 10 permanently affordable rentals creating pathways to stability and homeownership.

30 Years of Building Community

SCCLT programs create a more diverse and inclusive community, and strengthen neighborhoods through owner-occupied housing.

Preserving Affordable Housing Stock

Brand new to 2026, SCCLT is piloting a Safe & Sound Homes Program in which income-qualified homeowners in Centre County can apply for assistance in critical home repairs that address health, safety, accessibility, or energy efficiency.

A Local Approach to Affordable Housing

Founded in 1996, State College Community Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to create and preserve permanently affordable, energy-efficient homes in our community.

Through the community land trust model, SCCLT separates ownership of land from ownership of housing, allowing homeowners to purchase homes at reduced prices while ensuring those homes remain affordable for future generations.

Our work is guided by a volunteer board of trustees and strengthened through partnerships with homeowners, residents, nonprofits, local government, and community organizations.

Meet the Staff

Our staff works every day to expand access to permanently affordable housing, support homeowners, and strengthen the community we call home. Together, we bring the vision of community land trusts to life through housing development, stewardship, and partnerships.

Executive Director

Colleen Ritter

Colleen has lived in State College since 1999. She has worked in affordable housing for over 30 years. Colleen earned her BA in Economics from the University of Illinois. She has certificates in Non-Profit Management and Housing Development Finance.

Outreach and Development Coordinator

Stacy Hall

Stacy, originally from State College, PA and Penn State alum with a BS in Civil Engineering, comes from a background of business development and sales. You might catch her with her husband and kids on their mountain bikes in Rothrock or at the local library. She loves gardening and raising chickens as a hobby.

Real Estate and Stewardship Coordinator

Lorie Waters

A Penn State grad and SCCLT homeowner herself, Lorie has been a bakery manager, volunteer treasurer for two parent associations, and member of SCCLT’s maintenance committee and board.

Marketing and Office Assistant

Tiffane Cortazzo

Tiffanie has resided in State College since 2001 to attend Penn State as a History major. She and her husband have been SCCLT homeowners since 2009, grateful to raise their daughters here. Tiffanie enjoys gardening, photography and family history.

Our Board

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

SCCLT is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that provides strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability for the organization. Reflecting the community land trust model, our board is structured to include homeowners, community members, and public representatives, ensuring that a variety of perspectives help guide our work and our commitment to permanently affordable housing.

Board Member

James Bradley

James Bradley is a REALTOR® with Keller Williams Advantage Realty and a lifelong Central Pennsylvania resident with deep knowledge of the local housing market. He brings his expertise in real estate, investment properties, and community development to support SCCLT’s mission of creating and preserving permanently affordable homes.

Board Member

Marcelius Braxton

Marcelius is the Director of the Center for Social Change and Belonging at Penn State University. He also holds an affiliate academic appointment as an Associate Teaching Professor of African Studies and Philosophy at Penn State. He has over 15 years of experience working on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) as an educator, advocate, student affairs practitioner, and consultant.

Board Member

Susan Chyzewski

Susan first came to State College as a graduate student studying agricultural and extension education in 1993. After more than 15 years as a public school teacher, she returned to the area in 2019. Currently, Susan works as a project development manager for WPSU. She also serves as a Patton Township Supervisor.

Board Secretary

Tsultrim Datso

After attending a year of building trades school, she bought and remodeled a passive solar house in North Carolina. Tsultrim has lived in cooperative housing and in a co-housing community. She has a background in education and social services.

Board Treasurer

Kelly Felix

Kelly is a Loan Originator at Reliance Bank. She has worked in mortgage lending for the last 25 years and understands the home buying process as well as the challenges that some homeowners face. She lives in the State College Borough with her husband and two daughters.

Board Vice President

Etta Habegger

Etta Habegger and her spouse Charlotte have lived in the State College area since 2006. Her professional background includes a range of community development and housing work from providing support in domestic violence shelters to creating and sustaining long-term affordable homeownership.

Board Member

Peter Kemper

Peter Kemper, is a public representative appointed in 2020 by Borough Council. He and his wife have lived happily in State College for 20+ years, near their daughter and granddaughter. Peter retired from a career in health policy research and analysis, which included a decade at Penn State.

Board Member

Erin McCormick

Originally from Philadelphia, Erin came to Penn State for her undergraduate degree and fell in love with State College. After almost 20 years of various occupations, including waitressing at several local restaurants, working as a Special Education paraprofessional, and as a home health aid for local families, Erin is about to return to Penn State in the fall for a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She looks forward to serving on the BOD and helping more families plant their roots.

Board Member

Matt Toms

Matt Toms has been a State College resident since 2007 and an SCCLT homeowner since 2009. He, his wife Olivia, and their three kids deeply appreciate the gift of an affordable home in the borough. Matt is currently employed by Wellspring Church.

Board Member

Maureen Sentesy Wagner

Maureen Sentesy Wagner is a Wellness Nurse who works at a local non-profit. She is passionate about issues of public health and wellness. Maureen moved to State College in 2014 and resides in the borough with her husband, children, and mother.

Board President

Ben Wideman

Ben is the current minister at University Mennonite Church. He and his family have lived in their SCCLT home since 2014, and are glad to have found a home in State College. An avid disc golfer, cyclist, homebrewer and Toronto Blue Jays fan, he enjoys exploring central PA.

Board Member

Colin Webster

Colin Webster has been a SCCLT homeowner with his wife and son since December 2019. He’s been a State College resident since 2012 after moving here from England. Colin works in Special Education at the High School..

SCCLT Committees

Behind SCCLT’s work is a network of engaged volunteers who contribute their knowledge, experience, and commitment to affordable housing. Our committees provide valuable guidance and support as we create and preserve permanently affordable homes in our community.

Learn more about our committees and find a way to get involved.

Outreach & Development Committee

Works to increase awareness of the mission of the SCCLT and promote homeownership and affordable housing opportunities; Develops coordinated outreach, marketing, fundraising, and development initiatives and materials.

Susan Chyczewski

nina State College Community Land Trust Committee

Nina Fellin

Ben Wideman

Tracy Spalvins

Real Estate & Rehab Committee

Identifies and considers properties for acquisition, provides Board with an analysis and recommendation; Liaises with Outreach & Development Committee to develop marketing strategies for SCCLT properties; Assists staff with sales of SCCLT properties; Reviews and revises Ground Lease; Oversees/coordinates volunteer rehabilitation activities at SCCLT properties; Analyzes housing and neighborhood issues related to Borough initiatives, zoning and strategic plans.

Tom Keiter

State College Community Land Trust Committee

Sue Hiester

Susan Chyczewski

Andy Lau

Rob Pangborn

Stewardship Committee

This ad-hoc committee comprised of SCCLT homeowners and volunteers is developing a set of policies to address the long-term maintenance of land trust homes, to maintain the homes and support homeowners to the benefit of all. Serves as liaison between Board and Homeowners; recommends policy modifications, and works with committees to increase outreach, homeowner education and positive outcomes.

Rachel Brimmer

Etta Habegger

Erin McCormick

Maureen Sentesy Wagner

State College Community Land Trust Committee Member

Matt Toms

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Subcommittee

Committee dedicated to creating concrete and measurable goals to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion within all aspects of the organization to comply with the strategic plan update adopted by SCCLT in March of 2021.