Gentrification, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is the process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents.

Gentrification has caused many low income families to be pushed from their homes and communities and they are often unable to secure an affordable alternative. This is a reality that Meredith and I have seen many times over the past 15 years as we have worked in low income communities and homeless shelters and our friends have been forced out of their homes.

One of the pillars of the Christian Community Development (CCD) belief system is Relocation, and many people within the CCD circles have chosen to relocate their own families and live among the people. As a neighbor in the community they will begin to see, hear, and feel the reality and injustice that are an everyday part of life for their struggling neighbor. This new understanding will help them become a better advocate and voice for the voiceless.

With the voice of the new advocate, positive changes can begin to take place.

• New children and parents in schools can result in better funding and needed improvements.
• Services can increase as more people approach local authorities to point out what’s missing or under-developed.
• Businesses are more likely to open additional or new locations near a community that is being revitalized.

There are many positive things that can result from CCD relocation.

But there are two sides to every story and there are always unintended consequences to our choices.

Relocation can have a downside.

As people move in and advocate for the rights of those living in the community and things begin to improve, the property values will inevitably increase. Other families and investors will notice the potential and choose to get in on the up-and-coming neighborhood before the prices get any higher. Others will purchase properties to fix up and flip or keep as long-term investments. While some property owners in the community will benefit, many renters will be priced out and the most vulnerable will still be pushed from their homes and often end up raising their children on the streets.

A second option within the CCD circles is to operate a Christian version of Habitat for Humanity. They purchase older homes and tear them down and rebuild a new affordable home. They work within the community and help low-income families, who have a history in the neighborhood, purchase these new homes at an affordable payment.

While this alternative is an improvement and guarantees a home for some of the residents, for others, the same result will happen. Young families, who may not be able to afford a home in a newer neighborhood, will see home ownership as a possibility and the new interest in the community will drive up the value of the homes. Investors, with deep pockets, will easily outbid the nonprofits and build much larger homes in the community. The scariest reality is that by moving into a community or building new homes for residents, we may actually be aiding the improvements and speeding up the process and, in the end, the neighborhood will still be gentrified.

I don’t have all the answers, but there are a few things that could be done differently. On top of a couple of people relocating, what if the churches began investing in the community. What if we provided educational opportunities and assistance for residents, both children and adults? What if we helped people in the community start businesses, hire them to do the work we need done and introduce them to our circle of friends with recommendations? What if the church began to purchase the rundown and abandon buildings and rented those spaces at a discounted rate to businesses that we have helped start? Maybe we could even offer space in these buildings at a much lower cost to outside businesses and help them keep their overhead down on the condition that they hire people from the community and provide services at a lower cost?

By investing in people and economic drivers, the church will lead the way in serving poor communities. Click To Tweet This will result in the existing residents will become even more invested in their community and the church. The neighborhood will go through the process of renewal and rebuilding, but the middle class in those homes will be the residents who have gotten jobs, started businesses and improved their economic position. They will be the ones to rebuild the community.

Gentrification is a reality and it will never be completely eliminated. It is going to happen, but it can be reduced. If our Christian service is limited to relocation and building a few homes, but our actions increase the possibility and speed of displacing the poor…all we’ve accomplished is gentrification in the name of Christ.