Washington, D.C. Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White introduced new legislation that stipulates providing targeted services and funds in “high-risk displacement areas” in order to stop gentrification and displacement of people.
The bill entitled “East of the River High-Risk Displacement Prevention Services and Fund Establishment Act of 2019” was presented by White last week at the D.C. Council’s June 4 meeting.
,A recent study indicated that D.C. has the highest intensity of gentrification compared to any other city in the country and that it is also among the cities with the highest rates of low-income individuals being forced out of their neighborhoods since 2000.
The practices primarily affected the black community and low-income families. According to White, targeted services and funds dedicated to the regions with the high possibility of displacement would solve the problem.
If passed, a special city grant fund would be invested in reducing evictions, improving housing and supporting tenant associations.
According to D.C. Curbed, the fund would be given to law school clinics and nonprofit organizations if they are approved after applying for it.
When you think of #gentrification, the first place that comes to mind is #DC. Yet, in Montgomery County, MD, many #smallbiz owners are struggling to survive after a large-scale project broke ground several years ago.
A piece on surviving gentrification: https://t.co/OOylXhQ7gF
— Latino Economic Development Center (@ledcmetro) June 12, 2019
“The harm that displacement and gentrification is having on our city is too great to be ignored. People are being forced out of their communities and their neighborhoods,” White said regarding the bill.
Other councilmembers who signed the bill are At-Large Councilmembers Anita Bonds and Robert White, Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, and Ward 7 Councilmember Vince Gray. The bill is yet to receive a hearing in the near future.
Some Twitter users announced their support for the new bill.
https://twitter.com/LeeGranadosDC/status/1138785577271201792