GENTRIFICATION vs REVITALIZATION

[Avee-Ashanti Shabazz]

Revitalize:
To bring life back. The act of redeveloping a area to initiate growth.

Gentrification:
To displace. The act of using the effects of real estate development as a tool (weapon) to uproot and force out the existing residents of a area.

Solution:
In any area slated to be revitalized, a stipend to rehab the existing residents homes should be created and funded by:
1. Companies looking to profit 100's of millions from developing that area.
2. Banks thru their Community Reinvestment Act responsibility.
3. Federal, State, and Local Government.
...so that existing homes in bad condition will not adversely affect property values of newly rehabbed and newly built homes, while simultaneously making the existing residents part of the growth of their community.
Also there should be measures put in place to protect existing residents who cannot afford increases in property taxes, such as the establishment of Community Land trust.

REVITALIZATION DOES NOT EQUAL GENTRIFICATION. GENTRIFICATION EQUALS CARELESS GREED.