the issue
Cities around the world are being impacted by gentrification.
But what is gentrification? And why is Portland special?
gentrification [ jen-truh-fi-key-shuh n ]
noun
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the buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle- income families or individuals, raising property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.
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the process of conforming to an upper- or middle-class lifestyle, or of making a product, activity, etc., appealing to those with more affluent tastes
Portland's history sets the scene for its struggle with gentrification.
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Beginning in 1844, Oregon (which was a still a territory at the time) introduced Black Exclusion Laws, which stated that any black settler that were to remain in the territory was subject to whipping. These laws, built on racism, were meant to instill fear in the community, and the last of these laws were not removed until 1926 (Oregon Historical Quarterly).
The impacts can still be seen today. Only 1.8% of Oregon's population is black, compared to a national average of 12%. That number increases to 6% in Portland (American Community Survey).
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Portland's population by race
Black or
African-
American
While the Black Exclusion Acts removed virtually all of the black population from Portland, the hopefulness of post-war industry jobs restored some of this population. Situated along the Columbia River in North Portland, this area - known as Vanport - was concentrated with young black workers making a living through industrial work. This hope was short lived, when in 1948, Vanport flooded, leaving the area leveled and workers displaced.
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Following the flood, city officials moved displaced black workers to a 5-block radius in Northeast Portland. While Black Exclusion Laws were no longer in place, this segregation was another tool used by the city to restrict black people in Portland. Overcoming disinvestment, segregation, redlining, and blatant racism, black people in Portland built a rich culture, beaming with notable jazz artisits, Black owned businesses, and a strong community, all in white-dominated city that wanted just the opposite outcome.
Vanport
Area of relocation of Black workers
Prior to gentrification, much of Portland's black population still lived in the Alberta District (shown above by red circle). The black community was still strong, and had further overcome the racist history they were subject to.
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Gentrification in Portland is believed to have begun in the early 2000s, with the bulk of development and displacement happening around 2010. It began with an influx of white residents in the area, looking for "fixer upper" homes that could turn a profit. This process continued, causing housing and rent prices to skyrocket as the neighborhood became more appealing. This was accompanied by new apartment complexes, high-end restaurants and grocery stores, investment through city services, increased police activity, decline in black business ownership, and most notably, the displacement of black residents who could no longer afford the area.
This map shows the change in black population throughout the city from 2000-2016. Lighter areas indicate a decrease in black residents, while darker areas indicate an influx in black residents (see key at bottom). See more data here.
While the positive results of gentrification are easy to see, we cannot overlook the devastating effects that it has on displaced residents. In Portland, gentrification had the greatest effect of the Black community of the Alberta district. Residents began to drown in the rising costs of home prices and rent, and the accompanying price tag of high end restaurants, grocery stores, and more. Many of these residents were forced to areas outside of the city limits (noted in red above) - often called "The Numbers", where home prices and rent are lower.
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These consequences are devastating. In a matter of years, black residents were forced to leave their communities as the city lost control of the situation. You can hear first-hand from black residents in the area below.
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Gentrification effects us all, whether positive or negative.
In a story done by NPR on gentrification, it was said,
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“Sure, access to services and amenities rise in a gentrifying neighborhood. That is a good thing. But those amenities won't do you much good if you're forced to move because of skyrocketing housing costs.”
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While stopping gentrification is impossible now in Portland, there is still work to be done to help communities most effected.
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