Gentrification offers the promise of inclusivity. But left to its own devices, the market is unlikely to deliver on that promise. To ensure longer-run integration, local leaders in partnership with community-based organizations can work hard to preserve existing affordable housing (through investing in public housing, extending affordability restrictions on privately owned units, and seeking opportunities to incentivize private owners to keep units affordable over time). Second, they can take advantage of publicly owned land and other opportunities to acquire and create new subsidized housing in neighborhoods experiencing market pressures. Third, they can harness the market to deliver affordable units through tools like inclusionary zoning. Finally, they can work with local community groups to help low- and moderate- income residents make the most of any growing opportunities arising in gentrifying neighborhoods. Of course none of this is easy, and none of this is cheap. Some deals will simply be too expensive, but city and community leaders who wish to make gentrification more inclusive should be vigilant in searching for opportunities. And meanwhile, researchers should be on the lookout for opportunities to build our understanding of the costs and benefits of different strategies.
