Gentrification Affects Certain Areas In Alexandria: Report

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A study published by National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a DC-based nonprofit, indicates gentrification is a major concern in major cities. The interactive map included in the study shows neighborhoods that have been gentrified and, consequently, which groups of people were ultimately forced out of their homes. While the map shows gentrification significantly impacts Washington, DC, the nearby city of Alexandria has a few gentrified neighborhoods as well.

The study identified more than 1,000 neighborhoods across the country that experienced gentrification between 2000 and 2013. In just 230 of them, about 135,000 people were forced to leave their homes. The study used U.S. Census Bureau tract data and each tract served as an imperfect proxy for a neighborhood. The tracts average about 4,000 residents each.

In Alexandria, the map shows which neighborhoods experienced gentrification. These areas initially had at least 500 residents as well as below-average income and home values. Post-gentrification, they ended up with above-average home values, higher college graduation rates and saw household incomes increase.

The two pink areas show gentrified neighborhoods where black residents were displaced most. The several blue areas are considered gentrified, while the lighter blue areas are eligible for gentrification.

For example, two areas in northern Alexandria are gentrified areas with black displacement. The two neighborhoods saw the black population drop from 1,491 to 929, and 825 to 406 between 2000 and 2010.

The imminent arrival of Amazon in Crystal City has advocates worried about the impact on low-income communities. A study released by New Virginia Majority contends Amazon's presence will displace low-income residents in Arlington and Alexandria. In light of the Amazon announcement, the two jurisdictions said they plan to invest money to preserve affordable housing in the coming years.

Users can search any town in America on the interactive map to see neighborhoods most affected by gentrification.

The map visualized just how uneven gentrification and cultural displacement have been nationwide. Seven cities accounted for nearly half of the country’s gentrification overall. They were New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Diego and Chicago.

“The big investments that fuel gentrification and cultural displacement didn’t reach most of the nation’s poorest neighborhoods and rural areas,” Jason Richardson, the organization’s director of research and one of the study’s authors, said in a release.

The nation’s capital saw the highest percentage of gentrified neighborhoods at 40 percent. More than 20,000 people were displaced in Washington, D.C. alone.

The study argues that communities can usher in new investment while keeping long-term residents in their homes. For starters, these areas should take advantage of the “Low Income Housing Tax Credit,” or LIHTC, to keep housing affordable.

“Inclusive zoning rules, tax and rent controls, opportunity zones, split rate taxes and other policies are not exclusive of investment,” said Richardson. “They create the circumstances for inclusive neighborhood revitalization that preserve the vitality and character of neighborhoods.”

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.