BUFFALO, NY - Buffalo residents had the chance to discuss an important topic Saturday during a meeting arranged by the Our City Coalition.
The topic? Gentrification, and the possibility of displacement for residents who feel they could be forced out of their homes by rising housing/rent costs, as developers seek to build more projects in the community.
Saturday's forum gave residents a chance to hear more from experts on gentrification, and voice their own concerns. And gentrification has been a particular concern in the Fruit Belt neighborhood near the medical corridor, and other parts of the west and east sides of the city.
"I think they'll get some practical ways that they can build their communities, and make their communities so that we have the policies that we need to resist gentrification and people, says Jacqueline Patterson with the NAACP Climate and Environmental Justice Program. "Ways that people can have power in their communities."
Organizers from PUSH Buffalo and other groups are suggesting more home ownership and stronger community connections to deal with the issue.