Gentrification

       Gentrification....a touchy subject, a controversial topic, progression or regression. It all boils down to your viewpoints and philosophy and money!  As uncomfortable as it may be to pull back the layers and take a peek, it is necessary.  It is something that is taking place, not just in Austin, but all over the United States.

       It sounds marvelous when you first look at gentrification.  How can you argue with cleaning up a neighborhood, eliminating crime and bring an influx of new inhabitants.  It sounds perfectly palatable and desirable.  For those who have called the neighborhood home, it is not that simple.  It fact, it is far more complex.  As we look deeper into the meaning and impact of gentrification, we have to be willing to discuss the uncomfortable aspects.  Not everyone wins with gentrification.

     More often than not it is the current residents and especially the renters who are most affected by the cleaning up of a neighborhood.  All of a sudden, prices are skyrocketing and tenants are forced to leave the comfort of their environment and quite often, move to the suburbs.  Austin has a large population of renters and quite frankly, this attempt to revitalize the hoods, often leads to unaffordable housing for students, young professionals, and already struggling families.

     We have to address the problems encountered by the elderly as they are forced from their lifelong homes and neighborhoods.  No longer having affordable housing in their lifelong neighborhood,  they are removed to the suburbs or other areas.  These areas are often prohibitive to the life of an elder person.  All of a sudden they find themselves without easy access to grocery stores and other crucial staples to maintain their lives.

      Developers. Are they evil or just unaware?  I am sure both holds true in the area of gentrification. Greed can be a driving force in the topic of gentrification.  A developer can see a wonderful opportunity to clean up a neighborhood yet not consider the entire impact on the families who have called that house or neighborhood home.  In the interest of ignorance, we can say they are truly unaware of the problems they are creating; however, some do not care.  When asked what will happen to current residents, many developers say, I don't know.  You have to wonder if they really care.

     It is so important for developers to  consider, just as we consider the communities we work with and their needs, what is best for a community and how to provide a clean, safe, and crime free environment without jeopardizing the needs of the residents.  It is essential for developers and community to work hand in hand as they create living spaces and beautification of neighborhoods.

We can each take what we know about gentrification - the beauty and the beast - share with others and help them understand the complexities.