We live in a rapidly gentrifying city. Columbia Heights and Shaw are experiencing the expulsion of entire communities as rent rates and property values spiral upward. This is a reversal of the "white flight" these areas saw in the 1960s.
Gentrification brings many benefits. Residents of poor inner cities often have only a few convenience stores in their neighborhoods because chain grocery companies believe there isn't enough income to support their stores. With gentrification, large grocery stores enter neighborhoods, increasing the nutritional opportunities.
Gentrification also raises tax revenue as higher-income families come into the neighborhood. This revenue can be used to increase public school quality, social services and infrastructure development. Typically, gentrifying neighborhoods also experience falling crime rates.
Nevertheless, gentrification negatively affects the most vulnerable members of society. When low-income and high-income families compete for housing, the high-income families always win. Landlords don't renew their leases with low-income residents because they know that they can get a better deal with the relocating suburbanites. Thus, low-income residents must relocate to another part of the city.
Low-income people are being squeezed on both sides - costs are rising and incomes are evaporating. Family-owned businesses can no longer keep up with the rising rents and property taxes. Small storefronts are closing up while corporate retailers are moving in. Even our beloved Warehouse Next Door, the scene of countless punk and indie shows, had to close this summer when property taxes doubled in only a year.
In my view, the costs of the gentrification that is occurring in Columbia Heights and Shaw outweigh the potential benefits. The vibrant social fabric of the community that has existed for decades is being torn to shreds, never to be repaired. Sure, people unable to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living can move to scattered corners of the District where gentrification has not yet reared its ugly head, but the loss will be great.
There are many remedies to gentrification. Inclusionary zoning laws require housing developers to designate a certain percentage of their units as affordable housing with lower rent rates. Rent control policies keep annual rent increases small. Community Land Trusts can give communities greater control over how property changes hands.
However, what is more important is what we can do as individuals. Students play a detrimental role in the gentrification process. They often move to low-rent areas as they live on a meager budget. Their middle-class tastes, however, call out for corporate coffee shops, electronics stores and organic grocery stores. These retailers move in to take advantage of the demand. Later, these students become "young professionals." The ingress of young professionals give the suburban families the green light to dip their toes in, and then it's all over. None of the long-time residents remain.
Of my fellow students, I would ask that if they live in a gentrifying neighborhood to take a few simple steps to act in the interests of your neighbors. First, try to shop at the mom-and-pop shops. Go to the ethnic grocery store owned by Vietnamese immigrants instead of the Giant owned by faceless shareholders. Second, join community organizations, like ONE DC, that fight for affordable housing. Finally, and most importantly, be sure to participate in local community life. Going to block parties, playing soccer at the neighborhood park or simply saying "hello" to your neighbors can really improve the quality of life for all.
Gentrification: What a travesty.
Travis McArthur is a senior in the School of International Service and an AU/local politics columnist for The Eagle.
