The term Urban Renewal refers to a municipal planning process, with racist origins, of clearing inner city areas that are classified as “blighted” or as slums. After the passage of the Housing Act of 1949, this practice became much more widespread across the nation.
A Look at a Multigenerational, Black-Owned Business in D.C.
A Look at a Multigenerational, Black-Owned Business in D.C. By Elaine Elrod This is Part Two of a series of blog posts that show how the Greater U Street Historic District in northwest Washington, D.C. is a model for healthy black communities. In this second post, we are look...
A Model for Healthy Black Communities: The U Street Historic District in DC
Today the Greater U Street Historic District in northwest Washington, D.C. is an upscale, mixed commercial and residential neighborhood. Rated as the most walkable neighborhood in D.C., it is full of interesting restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques, street murals, a farmer's market, and live entertainment. It is also a tourist destination where you can see multiple historic sites that still survive from when the area around U Street was a thriving, middle class black neighborhood and a center of black culture and leadership.
Explaining the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act
Earlier this year, Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH) re-introduced the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act to Congress. This bill would allow private investors to get tax credits for revitalizing neighborhoods that have fallen into disrepair. The focus would be on fixing up empty ...
Restoring Communities Left Behind
Early February saw Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Restoring Communities Left Behind Act to the House of Representatives. The legislation outlines a plan that, if enacted, will allocate $5 billion for "neighborhood revitalization" between fisca...