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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.

THE IMPACT OF GENTRIFICATION ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND

COMMUNITY DISPLACEMENT IN MAJOR U.S. CITIES

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Student’s Name

Date

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,

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

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

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.

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

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