THE

WASHINGTON

POST

.

SATURDAY,

AUGUST

1, 2020

EZ

6 7

EZ

THE

WASHINGTON

POST

.

SATURDAY,

AUGUST

1, 2020

BY HAISTEN WILLIS

T

he city of Austin’s E astern C rescent area

doesn’t look like it used to. Streets

formerly dominated by Black and His-

panic families in the Texas capital are

rapidly gentrifying, with rising home

values steadily altering the makeup of

the neighborhood.

While displacement is an issue in

many cities, the City Council is taking an aggressive

approach, not only working to prevent it, but also

actively helping former residents and their descendants

move back.

Following more than a year of discussion, the council

is implementing a program granting residents with ties

to gentrifying areas a leg up in securing affordable

housing.

“We’ve seen housing costs increasing, and many

longtime residents have been forced farther away from

the central city, and in many cases outside the city

limits,” said council member Kathie Tovo. “The goal here

really is to provide opportunities for individuals with

SEE GENTRIFICATION ON T8

COVER STORY

Fostering

development

without

displacement

MONTINIQUE N. MONROE FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

At left, photos of Cherelle VanBrakle at her childhood home in the historically Black and quickly gentrifying St. Johns neighborhood in Austin. Above, she holds another. V anBrakle hopes to r eturn to St. Johns via a program that helps p eople w ith ties to gentrifying areas secure affordable housing.