The Hidden Link Between Gentrification and Homelessness
- Anaisha Jain
- Nov 27, 2023
- 3 min read
Source: Vancouver Courrier
Gentrification is the reason that more than half a thousand people experience poverty. Coined by sociologist Ruth Glass in the 1960’s, gentrification can be defined as the demographic and economic change that favours wealthy newcomers and real estate development firms over traditional working-class and minority populations. Gentrification is one of the factors that contribute to a person becoming homeless…
When the physical, social, and economic contexts of communities are modified by the gentrification process, a slew of positive repercussions follow. Gentrification may cause an increased number of green spaces, rapid making of transit systems, and even lead to healthy cities. Nevertheless, the process has an influence on the social fabric of areas by decreasing their social mix, ethnic variety, and immigrant concentration, as well as increasing housing evictions.
So where do homeless people come into this equation? Gentrification causes immense ripples in the housing market, further leading to inflation and unreal prices in the real estate market. Moreover, due to the innumerous convictions caused, this process can leave hundreds of people without a roof over their heads. The neighbourhoods that are gentrified are mainly under-resourced, declining neighbourhoods with lower-class inhabitants living in them. When the gentrification process occurs, almost all those living in that neighbourhood find themselves on the street as the prices to live there are highly inflated and hard to afford with their income. This may lead most people to live on the streets and use begging as a form of income to afford rent.
Furthermore, gentrifying neighbourhoods' socioeconomic conditions might further marginalise homeless people. As more affluent residents move in, local businesses and public areas may prioritise their needs above those of the homeless. This restrictive environment can make it difficult for those who are homeless to receive basic services and resources, further isolating them from the community. In addition, the gentrification process may result in increased policing and harsher execution of anti-homeless policies, hurting individuals living on the streets disproportionately. Authorities may enact rules that target homelessness-related behaviours, such as panhandling or sleeping in public places, making it even more difficult for homeless people to navigate and adapt to gentrifying regions.
On the positive side, some programmes in Canada are attempting to address the impact of gentrification on homelessness. Local advocacy organisations and organizations fight to advocate affordable housing regulations, protect the rights of homeless people, and create awareness about the relationship between gentrification and homelessness. These efforts emphasise the significance of including social fairness in urban development strategies.
While gentrification clearly improves many metropolitan areas, it is critical to recognise and address its negative effects on vulnerable people, especially the homeless. Striking a balance between urban growth and social inclusion is critical to ensuring that economic progress does not come at the price of those who are already marginalised in society.
Citations:
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Youngbloom, Amy; Thierry, Benoit. June 2023. Gentrification, perceptions of neighbourhood change, and mental health in Montréal, Québec. ScienceDirect.
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