What is gentrification?
“a process of neighborhood change that includes economic change in a historically disinvested neighborhood – by means of real estate investment and new higher-income residents moving in – as well as demographic change – not only in terms of income level, but also in terms of changes in the education level of racial make-up of residents”
Gentrification in Philadelphia
- Some neighborhoods most impacted by gentrification include Lower North Philadelphia, Francisville, Northern Liberties, Fishtown, Kensington, Fairmount, Center City West, Hawthorne, University City, Point Breeze, and Grays Ferry
- Typically, lower-income and minority residents are forced out as rent prices and property taxes skyrocket, while low-income housing vanishes
- Renters, who make up nearly half of all city residents, have faced an eviction crisis as neighborhoods investment surges
What actions can communities take?
- According to Next City, communities can work to take control over gentrification by:
- Ensuring every stakeholder in the community has a place at the table before the process advances too far
- Learning how the planning and development process works
- using the policy tools available to protect residents and preserve housing diversity
- Individuals can:
- Shop at local grocery stores, attend community events, background check their landlords, and more