If we want Housing Justice, then it must be lead by those impacted by the housing crisis, not by developers, politicians or non-profits

Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy

All across the US, there is a housing crisis. The crisis is complex, but it is not difficult to understand. Gentrification is impacting virtually every city, with “urban renewal” taking the form of white flight. However, unlike the 1950s and 70s, white flight is white people leaving suburban areas to taking over core urban spaces that currently are made up of communities of color.

The gentrification is causing massive displacement and the re-investment of urban spaces, because white people now want to live there. This has caused the housing market to skyrocket in costs, both for those seeking to buy homes and those wanting to rent. Rent costs have doubled in the past 5 – 10 years, depending on which community you live in, making it virtually impossible for people making minimum wage to afford current rent cost. This current housing crisis is particularly felt by single families, particularly black…

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