When people hear the word gentrification, they often think about rising rents, luxury apartments, and longtime residents being pushed out of their neighborhoods.
But what if I told you that you—as a homebuyer, renter, or even a casual shopper—can help lessen its negative effects?
In my conversation with Richard and Leah Rothstein, we discussed how gentrification isn’t just about housing prices. It’s about how new residents interact with existing communities. And the changes that make the biggest impact?
They’re often the simplest ones.
Being a “Conscientious Gentrifier”
One of the most eye-opening moments in our discussion was when Leah shared a powerful concept from Just Action—a guide to being a conscientious gentrifier.
It all started with a pamphlet written by Luke Davenport, a resident who had lived in multiple gentrifying neighborhoods. He noticed that new residents often unintentionally contributed to displacement because they weren’t aware of their impact.
So, he created nine steps to help newcomers integrate respectfully into existing communities.
A few of the most powerful steps include:
- Shop at local businesses – Instead of heading to a chain store, support the corner bodega or mom-and-pop shop.
- Eat at neighborhood restaurants and bars – Your presence helps keep them in business.
- Send your kids to local public schools – This helps maintain funding and resources for existing students.
- Refrain from calling the police for minor issues – Consider the historical relationship between law enforcement and the community before escalating situations.
- Get to know your neighbors – Simple conversations can foster understanding and build a stronger sense of community.
“These actions are so simple that they completely went over my head,” I told Leah. And that’s the truth—most of us don’t realize how small daily choices can have a huge impact on preserving community stability.
Why This Matters
Gentrification isn’t inherently bad. In fact, bringing new investments into a community can be positive—as long as it benefits everyone, not just new residents.
The problem is that when wealthier individuals move into historically marginalized neighborhoods, they often:
- Support businesses that cater only to new residents, pushing out local shops.
- Drive up rent and property taxes, making it harder for longtime residents to stay.
- Advocate for changes that don’t reflect the existing culture, rather than preserving what makes the neighborhood unique.
By being intentional about how we spend our money and interact with the community, we can help mitigate these effects.
What Can Be Done on a Larger Scale?
While individual actions matter, Leah and Richard also emphasize policy changes that can prevent displacement, such as:
- Stronger tenant protections – Ensuring landlords can’t evict long-term renters without cause.
- Inclusionary zoning – Requiring new developments to include affordable housing units.
- Financial support for longtime homeowners – Preventing property tax hikes from forcing people to sell their homes.
These policies are already being implemented in some cities, but they require community advocacy to push them forward.
Watch the Full Conversation
Want to hear more about how simple actions can make a big difference? Watch this part of the discussion here:
Video Timestamp: 00:11:52 - 00:15:59
Next up, in Part 4, we’ll dive into the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) history of housing discrimination and what they should be doing to fix it.