It has become a major concern that low and moderate –income senior citizens are opting to sell their properties for they cannot afford the rising property taxes in gentrifying neighborhood. In light of this discussion of displacement due to gentrification, we urge local governments to increase funding for existing senior home repair programs and prioritize those in neighborhoods experiencing gentrification. To add, an alternative option would be to provide tax breaks for senior homeowners when they meet certain requirements such as, years of residency or if they are considered low or moderate income. This recommendation will combat the displacement caused by gentrification, especially for those who may be at a bigger risk or disadvantage
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In this case, we will look at the history, current gentrification and the role of public policy in Harlem. Known as a center of vibrant African-American culture, it also became the embodiment of inner-city African-American ghettos. This consequence stemmed from the disinvestment (as the middle class residents moved to the suburbs) along with the social problems during that time (Bernt, 2012). Between the 1950s and 1980s, the poverty rate increased up to 40% and the neighborhood has lost almost a third of its population, where entire blocks were given up by their owners or boarded up (Bernt, 2012). The situation was so dire in Harlem that researchers concluded that it required “special consideration analogous to that given to natural-disaster areas” (Bernt, 2012). To try and fix the conundrum, the city began taking possession of tax-delinquent apartment buildings and the city became the largest landlord with the interest of restoring abandoned properties to the private market and placing them back on the tax roll (Bernt, 2012). These efforts catalyzed more public policy programs to be passed in order to revitalize Harlem’s housing market. For example, the “New Homes” program aimed to provide affordable, owner-occupied housing was subsidized and provided with $500 per vacant lot by the city (Bernt, 2012). With these concentrations of activities, …show more content…
After all, it is a natural and organic process where those of higher-income move in to low-income neighborhoods. The private institutions, city and local governments themselves encourage this process for they benefit through the profits and tax revenues. Therefore, gentrification is not necessarily a bad thing. It uplifts and beautifies poverty-stricken neighborhoods through the flow of capital from the new high-income residents. Despite these positives, gentrification also fosters negative impacts like loss of diversity, historical landmarks and affordable
In this case, we will look at the history, current gentrification and the role of public policy in Harlem. Known as a center of vibrant African-American culture, it also became the embodiment of inner-city African-American ghettos. This consequence stemmed from the disinvestment (as the middle class residents moved to the suburbs) along with the social problems during that time (Bernt, 2012). Between the 1950s and 1980s, the poverty rate increased up to 40% and the neighborhood has lost almost a third of its population, where entire blocks were given up by their owners or boarded up (Bernt, 2012). The situation was so dire in Harlem that researchers concluded that it required “special consideration analogous to that given to natural-disaster areas” (Bernt, 2012). To try and fix the conundrum, the city began taking possession of tax-delinquent apartment buildings and the city became the largest landlord with the interest of restoring abandoned properties to the private market and placing them back on the tax roll (Bernt, 2012). These efforts catalyzed more public policy programs to be passed in order to revitalize Harlem’s housing market. For example, the “New Homes” program aimed to provide affordable, owner-occupied housing was subsidized and provided with $500 per vacant lot by the city (Bernt, 2012). With these concentrations of activities, …show more content…
After all, it is a natural and organic process where those of higher-income move in to low-income neighborhoods. The private institutions, city and local governments themselves encourage this process for they benefit through the profits and tax revenues. Therefore, gentrification is not necessarily a bad thing. It uplifts and beautifies poverty-stricken neighborhoods through the flow of capital from the new high-income residents. Despite these positives, gentrification also fosters negative impacts like loss of diversity, historical landmarks and affordable