Gentrification: Pro’s Con’s Essay Example

returned to the South, leading to what McCormick terms as "reverse migration." Market values have skyrocketed due to building renovations, construction of shopping malls, and infrastructure upgrades with only surface-level changes. As a result, inflation has spread across various aspects of life and ultimately forced individuals with lower incomes out of their homes. Homeownership is considered crucial for achieving the "American Dream," yet by 2005, median home prices in San Francisco had surged by an astonishing 16%.

The Bay Area's average real estate value is $847,000, making it difficult for people to find affordable housing. Minorities in San Francisco are being forced out due to this issue. Furthermore, the reduction in Federal assistance for section 8 housing means that fewer families receive the necessary support. Additionally, there are fewer safe low-cost residential areas for the lower working class community, which creates significant challenges in their lives. It seems that San Francisco's policy aims to encourage those who cannot afford peaceful living here to leave (Schwarzer). To understand gentrification, it is crucial to identify its underlying causes. While there isn't a single cause for gentrification, capitalism itself plays a role as one of the contributing factors.

In major cities such as San Francisco or Los Angeles, the collaboration between retail companies and local government to boost profits frequently disregards the adverse effects. This issue is particularly apparent in Los Angeles, where big retail chains view low-income communities as a chance to extend their influence. From my own perspective, I have observed gentrification occurring in Azusa, California, my neighborhood that is located merely a few blocks away from my childhood home.

In my grandmother's neighborhood, there are numerous family-owned grocery

markets and restaurants, commonly referred to as "ma-and-pa" establishments. These independent businesses hold immense significance for my grandparents and other locals because they are conveniently situated in the town, allowing easy access by foot. For my grandparents, who are elderly, having grocery stores within walking distance is highly advantageous. Unfortunately, Azusa has recently undergone significant transformations as the longstanding "ma-and-pa" businesses that have served the community for many years are now being purchased and replaced by upscale townhouses and parking structures to accommodate an upcoming Target retail store.

Gentrification is occurring in my city, as several houses near my grandparent's home have been purchased and turned into high-priced condos. Both longtime residents and newcomers, including my grandparents, are being affected by this trend. Another factor contributing to gentrification is redlining, a discriminatory practice in which services like healthcare, insurance, and bank loans are denied or made more expensive for certain ethnic groups. Corporate America exacerbates this discrimination by refusing to lend money or extend credit to residents of "struggling areas," preventing them from becoming property owners.

Schwarzer states that it may seem ambiguous and unattainable considering we are currently in the 21st century. He references the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HDMA) and cites a survey conducted in 1995 to determine if specific ethnicities, like Hispanics and African Americans, experienced discrimination with regards to mortgage loans. The survey results depicted that these ethnic groups were declined at a rate of 40.5% compared to the 20.6% rate for whites.

Similar groups, consisting of individuals with comparable income and credit backgrounds, went through these calculations. The ratios for refinance loans and home improvement loans were also similar. This demonstrates that even

if minorities have the ability to afford certain residential areas, they will face obstacles and limitations in accessing resources. Furthermore, gentrification can take on various forms within our neighborhoods; nevertheless, the outcomes have been consistently significant. Throughout history, minority-inhabited neighborhoods have often been regarded as America's ghettos or slums.

Gentrification is often viewed positively in urban areas, offering hope for communities struggling with violence, drug trafficking, and other social issues. However, a closer look reveals that the advantages of gentrification are not so simple. While it addresses economic problems through job creation, increased property tax revenues, and reduced violence, its aftermath brings about a darker reality: an increase in homelessness among adults and families with children. In Los Angeles alone, statistics indicate that on any given night there are 82,000 homeless individuals including 4,800 to 10,000 families. These displaced people have no choice but to sleep on corners and streets due to the effects of gentrification.

According to Sowell, gentrification has led to the disappearance of culture as private industries and family businesses are shut down and replaced by retail chains and condominiums. This process results in cities looking increasingly similar, with identical restaurants, grocery markets, and retail stores creating a generic atmosphere. Consequently, various art forms such as music, food, theater, and everyday lifestyle vanish due to gentrification. Freeman contends that preventing gentrification is an unachievable goal.

In spite of the difficulties in avoiding greed and following laws, I strongly believe that regulating gentrification would help create a more equitable society. One approach to achieving this is by implementing rent control, as outlined in the California State Housing Laws. These laws allow landlords to increase rents if

they give sufficient notice within a specified timeframe. As a result, landlords in low-income areas have the ability to raise rents to a point where individuals from that particular demographic cannot afford housing.

This would result in the displacement of residents and worsening living conditions. Rent control offers individuals the opportunity to reside in one location for extended periods of time without constant concerns about rising housing expenses. Nonetheless, it is vital to recognize that mainstream America considers gentrification as a beneficial phenomenon due to its contribution to economic growth and enhancement of housing choices in impoverished neighborhoods. Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge that this perspective only represents one aspect of the situation.