Category: gentrification

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“Overheard New York” Instagram Account Is Just Too Funny

I’m not sure why it took someone this long to come up with this brilliant idea, but at least we have it now, right?

The Instagram account Overheard New York is exactly what it sounds like, and that’s a good thing. No, it’s a great thing.

Because who doesn’t love New York, New Yorkers, and the things they have to say?

I know I do!

1. Absolutely heavenly

2. Forget about the taste

3. The daily grind

4. Absolutely not

5. Uggghhhh

6. Hey, it happens

7. That’s how it goes here

8. Oh…

9. You bet it is

10. Help each other out

11. Very specific

12. Roommates

13. Hahaha

14. Regular ass, please

15. Constant struggle

I love New York! Don’t you?

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Here’s How Even a 5% Increase in Rent Would Affect NYC’s Homeless Population

Homelessness is a major issue in modern urban socities, and even though a lot of folks are slow to admit it, there’s actually a strong connection between gentrification an increase in homeless populations in those same locales.

One byproduct of gentrification is a hike in rental rates for the area. Recently, economists estimated that a mere 5% rise in NYC rent prices could cause more than 3,000 people to end up on the streets.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Los Angeles models generate a similar number, with around 2,000 people being forced from their homes over a 5% rent increase.

There are ways that cities can combat their homeless issue if they choose to make it a priority, and positive results are being seen in Houston, Tampa, Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, and Saint Louis. All of those cities saw a decline in their homeless population from 2011 to 2016.

Image Credit: Pixabay

Many cities choose to implement voucher programs that cover rent for a few months at a time, which does seem to work to an extent, though underlying causes like access to mental health and substance abuse care and counseling still need to be addressed for the problem to be considered mended long term.

Responses have to be comprehensive, long-term, and committed, which means not only controlling rent prices and new development, but increasing affordable housing and shelter beds and helping people access the healthcare they need to keep their jobs and be able to pay rent.

Image Credit: Pixabay

With so many cities working on it and setting good examples, it seems as if there’s a good chance others might follow their lead, and that the working poor and lower class earners might not be the victims of “progress” in the future the way they have been in the past.

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