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In many American cities, middle and upper income people are moving into neighborhoods that had previously suffered disinvestment and decay. The new residents renovate housing, stimulate business, and contribute to the tax base. These benefits of neighborhood revitalization are, in some cases, achieved at a potentially serious cost: the displacement of existing neighborhood residents by eviction, condominium conversion, or as a result of rent increases.
Revitalizing America's Cities investigates the reasons why the affluent move into revitalizing inner-city neighborhoods and the ways in which the new residents benefit the city. It also examines the resulting displaced households. Data are presented on displacement in nine revitalizing neighborhoods of five cities - the most comprehensive survey of displaced households conducted to date. The study reveals characteristics of displaced households and hardships encountered as a result of being forced from their homes.
Also featured is an examination of federal, state, and local policies toward neighborhood reinvestment and displacement, including various alternative approaches for dealing with this issue.
About the author
Michael H. Schill formerly directed a study of neighborhood reinvestment and displacement at the Princeton Urban and Regional Research Center, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University. A Princeton graduate and former Research Assistant, he is presently completing his law degree at Yale Law School.
Richard P. Nathan is Professor of Public and International Affairs and Director, Princeton Urban and Regional Research Center, The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University.
