Anti-gentrification radicals are on the march in Los Angeles. Is Houston next ? (Texas City: townhouse, employment)

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by madrone2k

Wow, it's remarkable how much interest this thread has generated in just a short time. A lot of good comments from different points of view.

One thing that I think of (that I don't think has been focussed on much so far) is the idea that people being displaced by gentrification are more often renters than owners. I can't cite statistics on that, but I think that issue is a big one.

Disclosure: I'm an old white dude and I think many of the people profiting from gentrification are other old white dudes who earlier-on bought properties in close-in neighborhoods, which they rent out. I don't want to be assigned guilt by having people assign me to the same social class, but a more important question is: what can we do to help people -- especially the elderly -- to avoid having people kicked out of their homes and neighborhoods that they want/need to stay in?

So ... the crux of the issue I've raised is: how do we balance the rights of one "class" (I hate that word) against another? I don't want to live in a society in which people can't make a wise investment that will yield a profit (not a dirty word). But ... neither do I want to live in a society in which elderly people are evicted from their homes and neighborhoods in their golden years. It's easy to shrug off some peoples' misfortunes by saying that they were too ignorant to plan for the future. However, that/s a pretty cold-hearted point of view that perhaps is easy to adopt when times are good for one. Times can change, though.

Gentrification always hits renters hardest. It also makes defining "gentrification" a bit difficult, as there's areas where non-bohemian Anglo working/middle class renters have also been displaced by rising rents as well - the Heights is an example. Is "gentrification" defined as only when a specific ethnic or cultural group is displaced (so including bohemians in Montrose), or any time a lower-income group has to leave because of rising rents, with ethnic/cultural affiliation irrelevant?

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by texas7

I think it's more about class than race. Poverty brings crime in any area. Most of these pushed out residents are living at or below poverty level and crime is going to come with that. Pushing them to suburbs doesn't increase their chances of beneficial life changes by benefit of a nicer neighborhood. It just spreads social issues across the city.

As a native Houstonian, I hate seeing everything gentrify. Things look better and there are more places to go and things to do but I see people pushed out of historic areas who really can't afford the suburbs and they get pushed into crime ridden section 8 apartments in the middle of suburbs where public transportation is lacking. Many need that public transportation to work and live. People can't better themselves or attempt to if they are too far away from amenities they need. I'd like to see inner city residents and those gentrifying be able to coexist. I tire of people who move into transitioning areas who cry about the view and the area as if that area wasn't already there when they bought. Or the person who cries about the noise from the railroad that's been there forever right behind their new home. Or the new homeowner who wants the 50 year old bar across the street to make Less noise as if it were newly opened.

Unfortunatley, I have no suggestions or solutions but gentrifying is fine if things are in place to address the social issues that go along with it. And if we don't destroy a city's history in the process.

One flaw to your point though - the suburbs generate plenty of low-income folks on their own. All those retail and service jobs to support suburban bourgeois lifestyles? They don't pay well, in case you didn't know.

[madrone2k]

My memories are faint from being a kid in Houston in 50s and 60s. But, I think of Washington Avenue as being a "black" area. Come to think of it, I can't remember any areas being considered Hispanic. That demographic was proportionately smaller, but I think that even so, it was a bit more overlooked.

By no means am I being judgemental about it, I just want to give my impression as someone who has lived here longer than many. A lot of areas in Houston seem to have one or another ethnicity that dominates. A bunch of areas have transitioned in that regard.

Personally, I enjoy living in an area that has people from different backgrounds. And -- just before anyone comments on it -- my neighbors are all nice people and crime, drug abuse, and noise are not issues.

[Hopeful for Life]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

Gentrification always hits renters hardest. It also makes defining "gentrification" a bit difficult, as there's areas where non-bohemian Anglo working/middle class renters have also been displaced by rising rents as well - the Heights is an example. Is "gentrification" defined as only when a specific ethnic or cultural group is displaced (so including bohemians in Montrose), or any time a lower-income group has to leave because of rising rents, with ethnic/cultural affiliation irrelevant?

It’s still gentrification no matter the race of those affected.

[detachable arm]

Originally Posted by madrone2k

Personally, I enjoy living in an area that has people from different backgrounds. And -- just before anyone comments on it -- my neighbors are all nice people and crime, drug abuse, and noise are not issues.

Nowadays if you want that melting pot (or salad bowl) then move to one of many suburbs, or the international district in southwest Houston. Otherwise the city itself is fairly segregated and the inner loop extremely segregated by freeways and train tracks.. Funny how that works— most people would believe it was the opposite.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by detachable arm

Nowadays if you want that melting pot (or salad bowl) then move to one of many suburbs, or the international district in southwest Houston. Otherwise the city itself is fairly segregated and the inner loop extremely segregated by freeways and train tracks.. Funny how that works— most people would believe it was the opposite.

Funny how it has worked that way. Not that there aren't some hard segregation lines in some suburban areas (Katy Freeway and the Klein / Spring ISD boundary along Cypress Creek, for examples) which often correspond to school zoning.

[Celiene61]

Originally Posted by Houston.Texas

I sure wish Houston would be next for anti-gentrification protest... Im not against gentrification if I was I believe that would mean I am for segregation........ Which I am not however, I do not want to be put out out of my new home because they are building $269,000 townhomes in my backyard and the rising property are simply too much for my landlord to pay (literally what im going through as of now)...... well I guess I am against gentrification with that said, Independence Heights is a colored mans neighborhood simple as that STAY OUT! Sorry not racist but I would like to stay in my home and not be forced out! I would like to continue to live in the city of Houston and not be pushed out of beltway 8 to the suburbs. Who is with me ????

Sooo, Tex, you no want white or Asian people in your "hood"? Lordy, Lordy Bro

Then, I guess, via reverse Psychology, that you should understand and accept when other ethnic groups, i.e.,other races, creeds and cultures do not desire other certain ethnic groups into their hoods
These other ethnic groups could, in no particular order:

Refuse to share and support the civic valves of the established neighborhoods.

Bring additional crime to the neighborhood, which by extension would lower property values. Low property values mean less tax base. Less tax base equals less upkeep of schools and other municipalities. Also less social services...translates into less gibs more exposure to crime for residents of said neighborhood. Less growth of new businesses.

On the flip side, depending on the values and lifestyles of said new ethnic groups moving into the neighborhood, new residents will increase the tax base via new construction. New businesses to serve the area would open, so more jobs in the area. Higher population equals new schools being built. Less crime would facilite new offices opening in the area, such as dental and medical practices, law offices, etc.

I use the term "ethnic groups" because I do not care for the use of the race card....because whatever race you may originate from, there is always an underclass, middle class and upper class.....and, if you are a law abiding citizen who values morals, hard work and integrity , you will be welcome just about anywhere due to the commonality of your shared values.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by Celiene61

Sooo, Tex, you no want white or Asian people in your "hood"? Lordy, Lordy Bro

Then, I guess, via reverse Psychology, that you should understand and accept when other ethnic groups, i.e.,other races, creeds and cultures do not desire other certain ethnic groups into their hoods
These other ethnic groups could, in no particular order:

Refuse to share and support the civic valves of the established neighborhoods.

Bring additional crime to the neighborhood, which by extension would lower property values. Low property values mean less tax base. Less tax base equals less upkeep of schools and other municipalities. Also less social services...translates into less gibs more exposure to crime for residents of said neighborhood. Less growth of new businesses.

On the flip side, depending on the values and lifestyles of said new ethnic groups moving into the neighborhood, new residents will increase the tax base via new construction. New businesses to serve the area would open, so more jobs in the area. Higher population equals new schools being built. Less crime would facilite new offices opening in the area, such as dental and medical practices, law offices, etc.

I use the term "ethnic groups" because I do not care for the use of the race card....because whatever race you may originate from, there is always an underclass, middle class and upper class.....and, if you are a law abiding citizen who values morals, hard work and integrity , you will be welcome just about anywhere due to the commonality of your shared values.

What he wants is a no-tax house, with no upkeep, in a low crime monogenic neighborhood, with great access to mass-transit.

[Celiene61]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

What he wants is a no-tax house, with no upkeep, in a low crime monogenic neighborhood, with great access to mass-transit.

Keen eye there Jack

[Jack Lance]

Do any of you guys ever watch that Young Sheldon show ?