# Gentrification is bad **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 5, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935 "2018-01-05T18:34:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nadnerb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@Nadnerb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadnerb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/1 "2018-01-05T18:34:57Z")
Why it’s bad: - It causes a community to be less affordable. - It prices out long time residents. - It is profit driven, and not community driven. And allow me to cite some references: \*[7 Reasons Why Gentrification Hurts Communities of Color - Everyday Feminism](https://everydayfeminism.com/2014/09/gentrification-communities-of-color/) \*[https://dose.com/articles/why-is-gentrification-bad/](https://dose.com/articles/why-is-gentrification-bad/) ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/2 "2018-01-05T18:48:57Z")
Why is “pricing out long time residents” bad? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/3 "2018-01-05T18:49:30Z")
Ask yourself why gentrification happens. It isn’t some dastardly plot by the evil rich. When a neighborhood gets run down and the property values stagnate or fall relative to nearby neighborhoods, the properties get more attractive. People who can barely afford a home elsewhere can afford both to buy and fix up these properties, and end up with a better house. Over time, due to these kinds of influences, the property values rise to be more even with the surrounding areas. Now ask yourself how you can prevent gentrification, and what you would do to improve the neighborhood that doesn’t involve strangers coming in with more money. When you have a practical answer to those questions, you might deserve some attention. ---
**Author:** ![Nadnerb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@Nadnerb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadnerb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/4 "2018-01-05T18:54:28Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Why is “pricing out long time residents” bad? They’ve lived there for so long and their homes are being stolen by rich assholes . ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/5 "2018-01-05T18:55:37Z")
> [@Nadnerb](#): > > They’ve lived there for so long and their homes are being stolen by rich assholes > . Stolen? These rich assholes somehow obtain the deed to the homes illegally? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/6 "2018-01-05T18:55:54Z")
The opposition to “gentrification” can lead to some [nutty results](https://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2014/02/09/fearing-gentrification-black-portland-neighborhood-tells-trader-joes-no-to-new-store/): > [@](#): > > The Trader Joe’s grocery store chain recently announced that it no longer plans to open a store in a predominately African-American neighborhood in Portland after activists claimed the store’s prices weren’t affordable for Black families. > > Local community leaders and activists said on Feb. 3 that opening a Trader Joe’s in the historically Black neighborhood would “increase the desirability of the neighborhood for non-oppressed populations” and risk gentrifying the neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/7 "2018-01-05T19:06:19Z")
I find it a little odd that I have _always_ heard gentrification referred to in a negative sense, but that the arguments against it aren’t obviously strong. About the best argument I can think of is that gentrification changes the culture of an area, possibly to the degree of eliminating the community spirit of an area or driving away a type of resident (artists, stoners, non-whites) due to pressures from either rising rents/property taxes or simply the newer residents not wanting them around and being rude about it. And this is the sort of complaint that outsiders (particularly uncreatives, puritans, and racists) respond to with a resounding ‘meh’. ---
**Author:** ![Nadnerb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@Nadnerb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadnerb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/8 "2018-01-05T19:08:08Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Stolen? These rich assholes somehow obtain the deed to the homes illegally? Here’s what happens by pricing out. Say someone lives in a low rent apartment, their rent could skyrocket and they no longer can afford it. One of the worst things about gentrification, is that low rent housing is torn down and replaced with condos. The long time residents in the end have difficulty relocating. ---
**Author:** ![Nadnerb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@Nadnerb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadnerb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/9 "2018-01-05T19:11:48Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Ask yourself why gentrification happens. It isn’t some dastardly plot by the evil rich. When a neighborhood gets run down and the property values stagnate or fall relative to nearby neighborhoods, the properties get more attractive. People who can barely afford a home elsewhere can afford both to buy and fix up these properties, and end up with a better house. Over time, due to these kinds of influences, the property values rise to be more even with the surrounding areas. > > Now ask yourself how you can prevent gentrification, and what you would do to improve the neighborhood that doesn’t involve strangers coming in with more money. When you have a practical answer to those questions, you might deserve some attention. Their are viable alternatives to gentrification. We could consider revitalization, which could restore a run down neighborhood to more desirable condition, but the neighborhood would remain affordable and the long time residents would stay. ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/10 "2018-01-05T19:11:48Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > The opposition to “gentrification” can lead to some nutty results That would be absurd obviously even if a high priced chain like say Whole Foods were the target. But Trader Joe’s is typically as cheap or cheaper than mainline supermarkets, particularly the types of chains which favor low income urban neighborhoods (‘C Town’ is one here in the East). The product mix at Trader Joe’s caters more to ‘yuppies’, that’s true. But a lot of the highly processed, frozen, etc. foods which appeal to low income shoppers aren’t actually cheap, besides the whole ‘food desert’ issue and huge impact it has on personal and public medical care costs. So yeah, that’s more nutty than the usual ‘anti gentrification’ spiel, which is a flight from reality in general. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/11 "2018-01-05T19:12:23Z")
> [@Nadnerb](#): > > Here’s what happens by pricing out. Say someone lives in a low rent apartment, their rent could skyrocket and they no longer can afford it. One of the worst things about gentrification, is that low rent housing is torn down and replaced with condos. The long time residents in the end have difficulty relocating. I fail to see how “Rent goes up for people as the value of the underlying property increases” is the same as “Rich assholes stealing their homes” ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/12 "2018-01-05T19:12:29Z")
> [@Nadnerb](#): > > They’ve lived there for so long and their homes are being stolen by rich assholes > . What if they aren’t assholes? Is it OK then? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/13 "2018-01-05T19:14:01Z")
> [@Nadnerb](#): > > Their are viable alternatives to gentrification. We could consider revitalization, which could restore a run down neighborhood to more desirable condition, but the neighborhood would remain affordable and the long time residents would stay. How do you revitalize a neighborhood without the property values going up? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/14 "2018-01-05T19:14:10Z")
> [@Nadnerb](#): > > Their are viable alternatives to gentrification. We could consider revitalization, which could restore a run down neighborhood to more desirable condition, but the neighborhood would remain affordable and the long time residents would stay. How do you keep something desirable but affordable? If more people want to live there, prices will go up. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/15 "2018-01-05T19:15:23Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > What if they aren’t assholes? Is it OK then? As has recently been highlighted to me by a dispute a friend is having with the friend he’s renting his house from, _anyone_ who raises _ **my** _ rent is, always, an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/16 "2018-01-05T19:16:43Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > How do you keep something desirable but affordable? If more people want to live there, prices will go up. Not necessarily. There will be market pressures for rents to raise, but either overly-kind landlords or straight-up rent control could counter those pressures. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/17 "2018-01-05T19:17:09Z")
> [@Nadnerb](#): > > Say someone lives in a low rent apartment, their rent could skyrocket and they no longer can afford it. I’m no expert on this subject, but it sure seems to me like gentrification is a more pressing issue in cities that HAVE stronger rent control laws. You think that’s a coincidence? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/18 "2018-01-05T19:20:03Z")
“Gentrification” is merely another word for Redevelopment. As the I Ching says “The finest clothes turn to rags” So too, the finest houses decay and need to be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Nadnerb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@Nadnerb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nadnerb)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/19 "2018-01-05T19:20:18Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > How do you revitalize a neighborhood without the property values going up? One thing that can be done is not invest into expensive condos but instead newer and cleaner Section 8 housing. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935/20 "2018-01-05T19:26:17Z")
> [@Nadnerb](#): > > One thing that can be done is not invest into expensive condos but instead newer and cleaner Section 8 housing. “Invest” implies some sort of return. How do you calculate the return an investor would receive by building newer and cleaner Section 8 housing? And how do you ensure that newer and cleaner Section 8 housing remains new and clean looking? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad/805935.md?page=2)