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The impact of gentrification on housing affordability and community displacement in major U.S. cities
This research paper analyzes the impact of gentrification on housing affordability and community displacement in major U.S. cities. Drawing on recent academic studies, it explores how urban redevelopment increases housing costs, displaces long-term residents, and disrupts social and cultural stability. The writer examines the socioeconomic and health consequences of displacement, particularly for low-income families, and evaluates policy measures such as rent control, inclusionary zoning, and anti-displacement laws. Emphasis is placed on the need for equitable urban planning that protects affordability and supports community resilience.
May 3, 2025
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
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THE IMPACT OF GENTRIFICATION ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND
COMMUNITY DISPLACEMENT IN MAJOR U.S. CITIES
Course
Student’s Name
Date
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Abstract
With the increasing debate on gentrification, this paper examines the impact of gentrification
on housing affordability and community displacement in U.S. cities. Even though
gentrification is mostly related to urban revitalization, it significantly contributes to
increasing housing costs, which inherently results in displacements of long-term, low-income
families. This essay draws information from recent journal articles to highlight how
gentrification deepens socioeconomic disparities, disrupts social networks, and increases
risks for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The essay further underscores
policy resolution, including rent control, inclusionary zoning policies, and emphasis on
community land trust, all meant to alleviate the adverse effects of gentrification. Results
stress the need for equitable urban planning that emphasizes affordability, community
participation, especially in the development process, and resident stability.
Key Words: Gentrification, Inequality, Displacement,
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The Impact of Gentrification on Housing Affordability and Community Displacement
in Major U.S. Cities
Gentrification, categorized by the entry of more prosperous residents into formerly
deprived urban neighborhoods, is a complex phenomenon with critical social, economic, and
cultural consequences. This phenomenon has become a defining feature of modern urban
development in major cities in the U.S. Studies have highlighted different impacts of
gentrification, such as increased property values, significant changes in the cultural and
economic fabric of communities, and changes in neighborhood demographics. Even though it
leads to investment and revitalization, gentrification has often worsened housing affordability
issues and led to the displacement of native residents. This paper examines the complex
relationship between gentrification, community displacement, and housing affordability,
drawing insights from recent investigations into urban development.
Gentrification and Housing Affordability
One of the key impacts of gentrification involves the transformation of the housing
market. A study by Kevin Beck highlights the various ways in which gentrification can result
in the rise of home values1. Based on Beck, the demand side of the gentrification model
indicates a great shift in middle-class preferences to favor homes in central city
neighborhoods, and the heightened competition for homes increases the price at which they
are sold1. The supply side indicates that central city neighborhoods can be profitable places
for investments because of their location, which makes the middle willing to pay a premium
for upgraded homes. However, such escalation often outpaces the income growth of existing
residents, making housing increasingly unaffordable for them.
1 Beck, Kevin. "Gentrification and Neighborhood Housing Wealth: How Gentrification Reproduces the Racial
Stratification of Urban Neighborhoods." Socius 10 (2024): 23780231241234645.
https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231241234645
4
Higher rates of houses result in housing insecurity in the neighborhoods. A study by
Gibbons and Hyra revealed that in gentrified neighborhoods, housing standard is often
upgraded, which might lead to higher prices and a decrease in affordable units2. The prospect
of paying more for rent leads to stress, especially among low-income families. Moreover, an
increase in real estate prices might result in residential, political, and cultural displacement.
Such stress related to potential displacement and the inability to afford housing, especially in
one's neighborhood, highlights the destabilizing effects of gentrification on housing
affordability.
Community Displacement and Its Consequences
Apart from economic implications, gentrification deeply affects the cultural and social
dimensions of communities. Displacement, both direct and indirect, has arguably been a
crucial feature of gentrification. A study by Gibbons shows that gentrification disrupts
established social networks, erodes community identity, and might result in psychological
distress among affected families2. The study stresses that displacement caused by
gentrification is not just a physical relocation but also comprises a loss of autonomy and
control over an individual's or family's living circumstances. Constant forced moves and the
breakdown of community ties result in a sense of disempowerment among those displaced
from their native places. The psychological tool comprising increased anxiety, diminished
sense of belonging, and depression among these people underscores the profound costs of
gentrification-induced displacement.
Health Implications of Gentrification
Apart from economic and social issues, gentrification has significantly resulted in
various health outcomes, which research identifies as complex and multifaceted. For
2 Gibbons, Joseph, and Derek Hyra. "Special issue introduction: gentrification, housing, and health
outcomes." Housing Policy Debate 33, no. 1 (2023): 2-5.https://doi.org/10.1080/10511482.2023.2167332
5
example, a study highlights that neighborhood change processes might form a neighborhood
of high-income disparities and heightened income polarization ("including displaced culture,
business, and political power, break down social cohesion and organization”), which can
adversely impact health, especially for low-income populations3.
A study by Schnake-Mahl et al. further revealed that displaced households might
encounter increased financial burdens due to relocation expenses and, in the process, lose
contact to region resources, jobs, and schools3. They might also experience interruptions of
protecting social networks, contacts to existing neighborhoods, and resiliency approaches,
which might expose them to discernment and social disregarding at higher levels compared to
earlier neighborhoods. Such experience induces material and psychological stressors that
exacerbate the risk of critical health outcomes and psychological burdens for families. For
families that remain in gentrifying neighborhoods, higher housing prices diminish existing
income for medication, transportation, health care, healthy food, and leisure activities, which
can impact a household's capability to achieve health.
Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Gentrification
While gratification has adversely impacted families socially, economically, and
culturally, there is an opportunity to address these challenges through comprehensive policy
interventions and community engagement. For instance, there can be an improvement in
zoning policies to dictate that a section of new developments allocated to affordable housing
can help maintain socioeconomic diversity in the neighborhoods. There can also be
improvements to rent control and tenant protections. A study by Kholodilin shows that rent
control is a crucial measure that the government can use to ensure affordable housing where
3 Schnake-Mahl, Alina S., Jaquelyn L. Jahn, S. V. Subramanian, Mary C. Waters, and Mariana Arcaya.
"Gentrification, neighborhood change, and population health: a systematic review." Journal of urban health 97
(2020): 1-25.
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occupants face a realistic rental burden4. Moreover, states can implement protection strategies
meant to help long-time tenants, especially low-income families, who wish to stay within the
neighborhoods. A study by Serrano et al. revealed that laws like anti-harassment can stop
landowners from forcing renters into leaving, hence reducing the impact of displacement and
ensuring long-time families stay connected to neighborhoods5.
Conclusion
Gentrification is indeed a complex and multifaceted issue that results in diverse social,
economic, and health problems. This exploration reveals that while it can revitalize
neighborhoods and foster economic growth, gentrification often leads to such development at
the expense of housing affordability and community stability. By using targeted interventions
and ensuring community engagement, city developers, including the government, can strive
to balance development with the goal of maintaining the social fabric and ensuring housing
justice for all families.
5 Serrano, Natalicio, Lindsey Realmuto, Kaitlin A. Graff, Jana A. Hirsch, Lauri Andress, Mojgan Sami, Ken
Rose et al. "Healthy community design, anti-displacement, and equity strategies in the USA: a scoping
review." Journal of Urban Health 100, no. 1 (2023): 151-180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-022-00698-4
4 Kholodilin, Konstantin A. "Rent control effects through the lens of empirical research: An almost complete
review of the literature." Journal of Housing Economics (2024): 101983.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhe.2024.101983
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Bibliography
Beck, Kevin. "Gentrification and Neighborhood Housing Wealth: How Gentrification
Reproduces the Racial Stratification of Urban Neighborhoods." Socius 10 (2024):
23780231241234645. https://doi.org/10.1177/23780231241234645
Gibbons, Joseph, and Derek Hyra. "Special issue introduction: gentrification, housing, and
health outcomes." Housing Policy Debate 33, no. 1 (2023):
2-5.https://doi.org/10.1080/10511482.2023.2167332
Kholodilin, Konstantin A. "Rent control effects through the lens of empirical research: An
almost complete review of the literature." Journal of Housing Economics (2024):
101983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhe.2024.101983
Schnake-Mahl, Alina S., Jaquelyn L. Jahn, S. V. Subramanian, Mary C. Waters, and Mariana
Arcaya. "Gentrification, neighborhood change, and population health: a systematic
review." Journal of urban health 97 (2020): 1-25.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-019-00400-1
Serrano, Natalicio, Lindsey Realmuto, Kaitlin A. Graff, Jana A. Hirsch, Lauri Andress,
Mojgan Sami, Ken Rose et al. "Healthy community design, anti-displacement, and
equity strategies in the USA: a scoping review." Journal of Urban Health 100, no. 1
(2023): 151-180. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-022-00698-4
May 3, 2025
24/7 custom essay writing by real academic writers
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Academic level:
Undergraduate 3-4
Type of paper:
Research paper
Discipline:
Urban Studies
Citation:
Chicago
Pages:
3 (825 words)
Spacing:
Double
* The sample essays are for browsing purposes only and are not to be submitted as original work to avoid issues with plagiarism.
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