Gentrification: Negative
- · Displacement: people who have lived in communities have to leave because they no longer can afford to live there.
- · Rise of rent—rent prices go up, property taxes go up—people can’t afford to stay.
- · Small businesses can be shut—may not be able to afford higher rates but bigger stores can. Also, new residents may not be interested in these businesses.
- · Put in more private schools and close public schools—less public schools/programs available for low-income residents.
- · Gas prices—high-income areas.
- · Historical buildings and things of significance moved or taken down.
- · Culture/identity of a community is changed.
- · Higher taxes take a while to actually have a positive impact
Gentrification: Positive
- · Lower crime rate—clean up the neighborhood, more business. Get rid of the “riff raff” More police
- · Cleaner/nicer looking—property values go up, health benefits, more pride
- · Availability of shopping, movie theaters, more options for residents
- · Healthier food options—Whole Foods, trader Joes’s
- · More jobs—more businesses coming in that need staff
- · Better education—more educational support—more tax money
- · Greater political clout/better political representation
- · Better health—hospitals, treatment centers
- · Improved amenities/safety: better streets, more crosswalks, better lighting
- · Parks, recreation centers
- · Better trash services
- · If you get in on the ground floor, you can buy a home that increases in value.
