Gentrification is a historical issue in Portland affecting many people, especially the African American population. There are many accounts of red-lining (where banks will not give loans to people purchasing in certain areas) in the North-East district; there are even specific clauses written into deeds that state that no one other than White/Caucasian people may live or occupy the residence unless they are employed by the homeowner. Although these laws cannot be enforced legally today, they don’t need to be as gentrification has already pushed many minorities out. To help mitigate this problem the Portland Housing Bureau has started a program nicknamed “Right to Return”. What this program does is assist people who have been or are at risk of being displaced from North/North-East Portland and are trying to purchase a home for the first time. This program, the first of its kind is a part of a 20 million dollar plan to reinvigorate and create affordable housing for those that have been forced out by gentrification.
This program works on a point based system with more points being awarded to people who have previously lost their homes in these districts to eminent domain by the city. People may also obtain additional points if there is proof that family members used to reside in the area. Although this program cannot make up for the suffering these people have endured because of displacement, it is a step in the right direction and we can only wait and see what other solutions arise.
Comments
Post a Comment
Let your knowledge, ideas, and innovation be heard. Tell us what you think and know about this topic.