Gentrification in Portland, OR

Map of vulnerability from Gentrification and Displacement Study: implementing an equitable inclusive development strategy in the context of gentrification

Dr Lisa Bates performed a study on how to assess vulnerability of different neighborhoods to increased gentrification pressure in Portland, OR for the Planning and Sustainability Bureau. It includes risk assessment of particular neighborhoods and a policy strategy with recommendations for market-based approach that includes:

• An inclusive development paradigm with a racial/ethnic equity lens.
• A recognition of how public investments affect the private market.
• Ways to anticipate housing demand and market changes.
• Options for utilizing the public sector to regulate and engage a range of private development and community actors to minimize the effects.

She also states a series of strategic questions for Portland:

1. Which changing neighborhoods should be addressed first and/or with the most resources?
2. Could an anti-displacement goal mean an entirely different set of priorities for the City?
3. Which policy tools or activities should be implemented, and how should they be prioritized?
4. How does gentrification policy fit into the broader set of goals, policies and identified needs for Portland’s neighborhoods?

So what: 

This provides a useful format for looking at the issues of gentrification in a city of similar mindset to Austin. Bates' study includes the following sections:

1. Scope : gentrification and housing
2. Defining gentrification
3. A new approach to the housing market
4. Neighborhood typology of gentrification and displacement
5. Policy program for inclusive, equitable development
6. Strategic policy questions

Appendices:
A. Housing Market Typology: Detailed methods and maps
B. Neighborhood Drilldown Analysis: data and variables
C. Cully drilldown analysis example
D. Annotated toolkit of best practices 

My interest is more specific to the bohemian cultural demographic subset in low to medium income brackets as there may be solutions based on that particular sub group of displaced individuals. I may have to carve out a definition of my own for cultural gentrification. Bates' study focuses on housing, which I believe to be of utmost relevance, too. While her only mention of tax has to do with low-income housing tax credits, I am interested in a more progressive solution to property tax pressures on residents in existing neighborhoods that are forcing long-term citizens out of the urban core.