Gentrification shaming makes no sense to me.

[Anonymous]

'Gentrification' is just another term conjured by liberals and POC in an attempt to co-opt power.

Ignore them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add to 17:48's excellent analysis re property taxes---
In addition to the homeowner rate, there are also additional tax breaks given to senior citizens.

+1. Most senior citizens and disabled people who own at least half the home get a 50% break. It needs to be applied for. There is a high-ish (>100K) income cap for this benefit. There is also the Schedule H tax credit for low income owners and renters. Also needs to be something you file to claim. People can claim these things on $1 million homes. Low income seniors don't really need to begin to pay property tax until their assessed value is >$400K, and one of the lowest rates in the country above that. I used to help people apply for these things, often filing refund claims for as many open years back as possible for people. I think the problem is many people don't know they exist or don't bother to apply.

Even if they don’t apply, taxes are low and increases are capped. It’s not because of taxes for majority of people leaving.

The black people selling their homes are cashing out and going to a nice area in PG county and buying a nice large SFH with a yard for the 500k plus they are getting. Friend of a friend moved down to nice retirement community in Fl.

I’ve been in NE for 12 years. When I moved in, my long term neighbors said that the house next door is vacant. Elderly black couple who passed away and home went to the kids. None of the siblings wanted the home except for 1 son so he bought them all out. Really nice guy, lives in a nice part of Md. He says he wants to fix it up and rent it. Well, here we are 12 years later, house sitting there vacant, not renovated.

Here is what happened with another 4-5 homes on my block. Elderly people who all passed away. Their kids who live in the burbs or somewhere else inherited the home. They did not want to keep their childhood home but instead sell it and take the money ASAP. They all sold to developers who could close fast like 2 weeks with all cash - a sure thing. The developers renovated the homes and then flipped it.

Not one home on my block was a black family that could not afford the taxes. The elderly old timers are passing away and their kids want the money, not the homes or to live in them.

As to drugs and gangs. My elderly black neighbors in their 70’s who have been here for more than 40 years says the neighborhood is much better and safer now. They don’t resent newer people moving in, and everybody watches out for everybody else. They are great neighbors. They said back in the day, lots of drugs, shootings, and crime everywhere and nobody did anything about it. Yes they did call the police too but they did not do much. It was out of control.

Yes. The white people involved in this discussion need to talk to Black people - not just 20-something activists that are loud on social media - but people who actually lived next to drug dealing and gun violence for years and see what their perspective is. The loudest views aren't necessarily representative.

As with almost every “social justice” issue, the loudest voices are often entitled rich kids who project their own neuroses about being a privileged brat onto other people because they think that their hollow virtue signaling will deflect attention from their own entitled upbringings. The actual people being affected by gentrification and other issues often have far more intelligent and pragmatic views about the issues that actually impact them, but their views are often drowned out by the privileged people who are supposedly speaking for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any people who oppose gentrification have any issues with displacing poor white people from urban enclaves in places like Fishtown or Canton? I’m assuming the same people who are tossing around words like “privilege” in this thread don’t find much time to examine their class privilege. Maybe I’m wrong...

The difference is that historically even working class white people have had the opportunity to obtain mortgages and buy their homes whereas working and middle class black people were redlined and denied mortgages even if they could afford them.

Displacement and gentrification in working class white areas is still a concerning issue, but they have also had a much greater opportunity to secure their place in the neighborhood via homeownership and profit off of displacement by selling their homes instead of being forced out by rising rent with no financial windfall from selling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add to 17:48's excellent analysis re property taxes---
In addition to the homeowner rate, there are also additional tax breaks given to senior citizens.

+1. Most senior citizens and disabled people who own at least half the home get a 50% break. It needs to be applied for. There is a high-ish (>100K) income cap for this benefit. There is also the Schedule H tax credit for low income owners and renters. Also needs to be something you file to claim. People can claim these things on $1 million homes. Low income seniors don't really need to begin to pay property tax until their assessed value is >$400K, and one of the lowest rates in the country above that. I used to help people apply for these things, often filing refund claims for as many open years back as possible for people. I think the problem is many people don't know they exist or don't bother to apply.

Even if they don’t apply, taxes are low and increases are capped. It’s not because of taxes for majority of people leaving.

The black people selling their homes are cashing out and going to a nice area in PG county and buying a nice large SFH with a yard for the 500k plus they are getting. Friend of a friend moved down to nice retirement community in Fl.

I’ve been in NE for 12 years. When I moved in, my long term neighbors said that the house next door is vacant. Elderly black couple who passed away and home went to the kids. None of the siblings wanted the home except for 1 son so he bought them all out. Really nice guy, lives in a nice part of Md. He says he wants to fix it up and rent it. Well, here we are 12 years later, house sitting there vacant, not renovated.

Here is what happened with another 4-5 homes on my block. Elderly people who all passed away. Their kids who live in the burbs or somewhere else inherited the home. They did not want to keep their childhood home but instead sell it and take the money ASAP. They all sold to developers who could close fast like 2 weeks with all cash - a sure thing. The developers renovated the homes and then flipped it.

Not one home on my block was a black family that could not afford the taxes. The elderly old timers are passing away and their kids want the money, not the homes or to live in them.

As to drugs and gangs. My elderly black neighbors in their 70’s who have been here for more than 40 years says the neighborhood is much better and safer now. They don’t resent newer people moving in, and everybody watches out for everybody else. They are great neighbors. They said back in the day, lots of drugs, shootings, and crime everywhere and nobody did anything about it. Yes they did call the police too but they did not do much. It was out of control.

12 whole years!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Comparing street open air drug sales and gangs to coke at a party is pretty naive. Drug use alone is not immoral.

NP - I do not care what immoral or even most illegal things you do within your owned or rented home. I DO care when there are cars in front of my house at night with people passing things out the window or women giving bjs to men in cars parked on my street or groups of people hanging out on the sidewalk drinking and smoking pot. Move any of these things indoors or even into your back yard and I will not even know they are happening. I WILL call the cops on blatantly illegal public activity, regardless of the race or provenance of the people.

Call me a gentrifier -I have been called much worse in my 35 years as a white person in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add to 17:48's excellent analysis re property taxes---
In addition to the homeowner rate, there are also additional tax breaks given to senior citizens.

+1. Most senior citizens and disabled people who own at least half the home get a 50% break. It needs to be applied for. There is a high-ish (>100K) income cap for this benefit. There is also the Schedule H tax credit for low income owners and renters. Also needs to be something you file to claim. People can claim these things on $1 million homes. Low income seniors don't really need to begin to pay property tax until their assessed value is >$400K, and one of the lowest rates in the country above that. I used to help people apply for these things, often filing refund claims for as many open years back as possible for people. I think the problem is many people don't know they exist or don't bother to apply.

Even if they don’t apply, taxes are low and increases are capped. It’s not because of taxes for majority of people leaving.

The black people selling their homes are cashing out and going to a nice area in PG county and buying a nice large SFH with a yard for the 500k plus they are getting. Friend of a friend moved down to nice retirement community in Fl.

I’ve been in NE for 12 years. When I moved in, my long term neighbors said that the house next door is vacant. Elderly black couple who passed away and home went to the kids. None of the siblings wanted the home except for 1 son so he bought them all out. Really nice guy, lives in a nice part of Md. He says he wants to fix it up and rent it. Well, here we are 12 years later, house sitting there vacant, not renovated.

Here is what happened with another 4-5 homes on my block. Elderly people who all passed away. Their kids who live in the burbs or somewhere else inherited the home. They did not want to keep their childhood home but instead sell it and take the money ASAP. They all sold to developers who could close fast like 2 weeks with all cash - a sure thing. The developers renovated the homes and then flipped it.

Not one home on my block was a black family that could not afford the taxes. The elderly old timers are passing away and their kids want the money, not the homes or to live in them.

As to drugs and gangs. My elderly black neighbors in their 70’s who have been here for more than 40 years says the neighborhood is much better and safer now. They don’t resent newer people moving in, and everybody watches out for everybody else. They are great neighbors. They said back in the day, lots of drugs, shootings, and crime everywhere and nobody did anything about it. Yes they did call the police too but they did not do much. It was out of control.

12 whole years!!!

I’m the PP. Do you have a reading comprehension issue? My post is not about what I thought. It’s about what my black neighbors (not just 1 BTW but 3 different ones) who have lived in DC for over 30-40 years perspective is.

It’s also the reality of why there is less black families in the area. They are not being forced out. You can thank the younger generation of kids who wants to cash out when their parents die and have no problems selling to developers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any people who oppose gentrification have any issues with displacing poor white people from urban enclaves in places like Fishtown or Canton? I’m assuming the same people who are tossing around words like “privilege” in this thread don’t find much time to examine their class privilege. Maybe I’m wrong...

The difference is that historically even working class white people have had the opportunity to obtain mortgages and buy their homes whereas working and middle class black people were redlined and denied mortgages even if they could afford them.

Displacement and gentrification in working class white areas is still a concerning issue, but they have also had a much greater opportunity to secure their place in the neighborhood via homeownership and profit off of displacement by selling their homes instead of being forced out by rising rent with no financial windfall from selling.

Rare is the day renter gets a windfall from real estate. Is that the core difference between conservatives and liberals I wonder? Conservatives blame the pushover for being weak and the liberals blame the bully? While bullies are jerks, weakness will always find another bully. Just my 2c

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add to 17:48's excellent analysis re property taxes---
In addition to the homeowner rate, there are also additional tax breaks given to senior citizens.

+1. Most senior citizens and disabled people who own at least half the home get a 50% break. It needs to be applied for. There is a high-ish (>100K) income cap for this benefit. There is also the Schedule H tax credit for low income owners and renters. Also needs to be something you file to claim. People can claim these things on $1 million homes. Low income seniors don't really need to begin to pay property tax until their assessed value is >$400K, and one of the lowest rates in the country above that. I used to help people apply for these things, often filing refund claims for as many open years back as possible for people. I think the problem is many people don't know they exist or don't bother to apply.

Even if they don’t apply, taxes are low and increases are capped. It’s not because of taxes for majority of people leaving.

The black people selling their homes are cashing out and going to a nice area in PG county and buying a nice large SFH with a yard for the 500k plus they are getting. Friend of a friend moved down to nice retirement community in Fl.

I’ve been in NE for 12 years. When I moved in, my long term neighbors said that the house next door is vacant. Elderly black couple who passed away and home went to the kids. None of the siblings wanted the home except for 1 son so he bought them all out. Really nice guy, lives in a nice part of Md. He says he wants to fix it up and rent it. Well, here we are 12 years later, house sitting there vacant, not renovated.

Here is what happened with another 4-5 homes on my block. Elderly people who all passed away. Their kids who live in the burbs or somewhere else inherited the home. They did not want to keep their childhood home but instead sell it and take the money ASAP. They all sold to developers who could close fast like 2 weeks with all cash - a sure thing. The developers renovated the homes and then flipped it.

Not one home on my block was a black family that could not afford the taxes. The elderly old timers are passing away and their kids want the money, not the homes or to live in them.

As to drugs and gangs. My elderly black neighbors in their 70’s who have been here for more than 40 years says the neighborhood is much better and safer now. They don’t resent newer people moving in, and everybody watches out for everybody else. They are great neighbors. They said back in the day, lots of drugs, shootings, and crime everywhere and nobody did anything about it. Yes they did call the police too but they did not do much. It was out of control.

12 whole years!!!

I’m the PP. Do you have a reading comprehension issue? My post is not about what I thought. It’s about what my black neighbors (not just 1 BTW but 3 different ones) who have lived in DC for over 30-40 years perspective is.

It’s also the reality of why there is less black families in the area. They are not being forced out. You can thank the younger generation of kids who wants to cash out when their parents die and have no problems selling to developers.

For many of those kids it is their first taste of cash and their last as they find out the dynamics of cashing out of appreciating assets. Even if they buy a house somewhere else it likely isn’t going to be the caliber of the DC property. Kids don’t realize it isn’t the house that is going up in value and exchanging location for glitz is a stupid person’s trade. Especially if it your one shot into the middle class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add to 17:48's excellent analysis re property taxes---
In addition to the homeowner rate, there are also additional tax breaks given to senior citizens.

+1. Most senior citizens and disabled people who own at least half the home get a 50% break. It needs to be applied for. There is a high-ish (>100K) income cap for this benefit. There is also the Schedule H tax credit for low income owners and renters. Also needs to be something you file to claim. People can claim these things on $1 million homes. Low income seniors don't really need to begin to pay property tax until their assessed value is >$400K, and one of the lowest rates in the country above that. I used to help people apply for these things, often filing refund claims for as many open years back as possible for people. I think the problem is many people don't know they exist or don't bother to apply.

Even if they don’t apply, taxes are low and increases are capped. It’s not because of taxes for majority of people leaving.

The black people selling their homes are cashing out and going to a nice area in PG county and buying a nice large SFH with a yard for the 500k plus they are getting. Friend of a friend moved down to nice retirement community in Fl.

I’ve been in NE for 12 years. When I moved in, my long term neighbors said that the house next door is vacant. Elderly black couple who passed away and home went to the kids. None of the siblings wanted the home except for 1 son so he bought them all out. Really nice guy, lives in a nice part of Md. He says he wants to fix it up and rent it. Well, here we are 12 years later, house sitting there vacant, not renovated.

Here is what happened with another 4-5 homes on my block. Elderly people who all passed away. Their kids who live in the burbs or somewhere else inherited the home. They did not want to keep their childhood home but instead sell it and take the money ASAP. They all sold to developers who could close fast like 2 weeks with all cash - a sure thing. The developers renovated the homes and then flipped it.

Not one home on my block was a black family that could not afford the taxes. The elderly old timers are passing away and their kids want the money, not the homes or to live in them.

As to drugs and gangs. My elderly black neighbors in their 70’s who have been here for more than 40 years says the neighborhood is much better and safer now. They don’t resent newer people moving in, and everybody watches out for everybody else. They are great neighbors. They said back in the day, lots of drugs, shootings, and crime everywhere and nobody did anything about it. Yes they did call the police too but they did not do much. It was out of control.

12 whole years!!!

I’m the PP. Do you have a reading comprehension issue? My post is not about what I thought. It’s about what my black neighbors (not just 1 BTW but 3 different ones) who have lived in DC for over 30-40 years perspective is.

It’s also the reality of why there is less black families in the area. They are not being forced out. You can thank the younger generation of kids who wants to cash out when their parents die and have no problems selling to developers.

For many of those kids it is their first taste of cash and their last as they find out the dynamics of cashing out of appreciating assets. Even if they buy a house somewhere else it likely isn’t going to be the caliber of the DC property. Kids don’t realize it isn’t the house that is going up in value and exchanging location for glitz is a stupid person’s trade. Especially if it your one shot into the middle class.

Who is going to educate them that they should hold onto the properties passed on to them by their parents to make more money in 10 or 20 year? The white people ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you're just supposed to be aware of gentrification and not be a dick about it. So like, don't call in your elderly neighbors for code violations. If you get involved at your school, don't focus exclusively on advocating for special programs. That sort of thing.

Yea, I always thought it was just about being aware of the existing culture in your neighborhood. Like if block parties and impromptu neighborhood gatherings are a thing, don't make it weird by calling the cops. Frequent the existing small business in the community, engage with your neighbors.....basically just be a good neighbor? I think if people are giving you crap about it, they're missing the point.

[Anonymous]

It’s all about playing the victim and victimization. People need to stop already. This will tear our country apart if we keep going at this rate. We all need to be supportive of each other and stop trying to take power. Be kind to each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all about playing the victim and victimization. People need to stop already. This will tear our country apart if we keep going at this rate. We all need to be supportive of each other and stop trying to take power. Be kind to each other.

Assuming you understand that what you typed actually says and means nothing, right? Unless you are practicing for some future FB post where your friends tell you how deep and thoughtful you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add to 17:48's excellent analysis re property taxes---
In addition to the homeowner rate, there are also additional tax breaks given to senior citizens.

+1. Most senior citizens and disabled people who own at least half the home get a 50% break. It needs to be applied for. There is a high-ish (>100K) income cap for this benefit. There is also the Schedule H tax credit for low income owners and renters. Also needs to be something you file to claim. People can claim these things on $1 million homes. Low income seniors don't really need to begin to pay property tax until their assessed value is >$400K, and one of the lowest rates in the country above that. I used to help people apply for these things, often filing refund claims for as many open years back as possible for people. I think the problem is many people don't know they exist or don't bother to apply.

Even if they don’t apply, taxes are low and increases are capped. It’s not because of taxes for majority of people leaving.

The black people selling their homes are cashing out and going to a nice area in PG county and buying a nice large SFH with a yard for the 500k plus they are getting. Friend of a friend moved down to nice retirement community in Fl.

I’ve been in NE for 12 years. When I moved in, my long term neighbors said that the house next door is vacant. Elderly black couple who passed away and home went to the kids. None of the siblings wanted the home except for 1 son so he bought them all out. Really nice guy, lives in a nice part of Md. He says he wants to fix it up and rent it. Well, here we are 12 years later, house sitting there vacant, not renovated.

Here is what happened with another 4-5 homes on my block. Elderly people who all passed away. Their kids who live in the burbs or somewhere else inherited the home. They did not want to keep their childhood home but instead sell it and take the money ASAP. They all sold to developers who could close fast like 2 weeks with all cash - a sure thing. The developers renovated the homes and then flipped it.

Not one home on my block was a black family that could not afford the taxes. The elderly old timers are passing away and their kids want the money, not the homes or to live in them.

As to drugs and gangs. My elderly black neighbors in their 70’s who have been here for more than 40 years says the neighborhood is much better and safer now. They don’t resent newer people moving in, and everybody watches out for everybody else. They are great neighbors. They said back in the day, lots of drugs, shootings, and crime everywhere and nobody did anything about it. Yes they did call the police too but they did not do much. It was out of control.

12 whole years!!!

Did you consider that he may not be able to secure the funding to renovate? Because banks discriminate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all about playing the victim and victimization. People need to stop already. This will tear our country apart if we keep going at this rate. We all need to be supportive of each other and stop trying to take power. Be kind to each other.

I have no dog in this particular fight, but when people tell you that they have been hurt, responding that they are “playing the victim” is not kind or supportive. Your last two sentences are directly opposed to your first two.