Gentrification

[malaise]

What's the role of gentrification in the treatment of African-Americans in inner cities that others want.
Just heard Tweety et al touching this subject.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. If the current AfAm occupants have money they may be allowed to stay, I suppose.

I think if you are an AfAm but your skin is really dark, may be best if you just moved along.


Too harsh?

I think this thought process does exist, and among some liberals too.

maybe not

you tell me

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I think you are correct. If you watch Oakland County, MI, taking over the "choice parts" of Detroit

you see it clearly, and it sucks.

This thought process does exist among liberals...sadly.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

3. Yeah, I know it does. I see it in San Francisco and surrounding areas.

[justiceischeap]

4. Gentrification doesn't only affect AfAm community

I remember when living in urban areas was the cheaper option. Now, most people below a certain income level have a heck of a time finding affordable housing.

But what pisses me off most about gentrification is the displacement of families that lived their entire lives in that neighborhood who can no longer afford to live there.

[Bok_Tukalo]

5. Give me some of that.

It is the rehabilitation of a neighborhood making it more desirable. Urban pioneers take on the risk, and challenge, of restoring great homes and bring safety, security, and opportunity to marginal locations.

Those who own property in so called gentrified neighborhoods see the value climb making it economically advantageous for all concerned. The down side can be increases in rent for those who do not own their homes and higher leases for businesses. Also, Starbucks might take over the title loan joint. Woe is us.

[NYC_SKP]

6. The role of gentrification is to use AA tenants as placeholders until a building can go co-op.

Then they "get to" find new places to live, unless they can scare up the money needed to buy into a coop or condo.

While they are there, the landowner gets a bit of rental income and can write off the losses while he waits for the buyout to occur.

Placeholders.

Isn't that peachy?

[malaise]

7. It's scary

and sad

[Dont call me Shirley]

9. AKA Slumlordism

[99th_Monkey]

8. Gentrification: danger and opportunity

This is how "gentrification" usually happens:
Danger is, if the reinvestment & redevelopment of blighted area is left to for-profit private investors, it becomes a land-grab at bargain-basement prices, no competition market-share of captive consumers (due to no nearby competition), to enrich private pockets by shaking down the municipality for huge grants and tax-exemptions based on false promises for "JOBS1 NEW HOUSING! JOBS! JOBS!.."
..which either don't materialize or are only priced for higher income (white?)

A way-better alternative (and more cost-effective way) to redevelop a blighted neighborhood:
Opportunity is, to identify (& train as needed) and invest in neighborhood residents to own and manage local small businesses and build new and/or renovate housing stock; which happens most cost-effectively and responsibly by using neighborhood-based not-for-profit community development corporations that are membership-based & rooted into the neighborhood, NOT from private for-profit development corporations. IT'S THIS NON-PROFIT SECTOR THAT SHOULD RECEIVE PUBLIC GRANTS, instead of greedy for-profit developers.

It's a complicated subject, and very germain to addressing long-term neighborhood issues like we're seeing with this Baltimore meltdown.

[Wilms]

10. k&r this thread. Great topic and comments. n/t