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How to Revitalize a Neighborhood — Without Gentrification | Bree Jones | TED

The housing market can be vexing: while some neighborhoods get ridiculously expensive and price out longtime residents, others have historic homes sitting vacant without demand. Equitable housing developer and TED Fellow Bree Jones shares how she found a way to revitalize neighborhoods experiencing hyper-vacancy while preventing gentrification — supporting home buyers and transforming communities along…

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The housing market can be vexing: while some neighborhoods get ridiculously expensive and price out longtime residents, others have historic homes sitting vacant without demand. Equitable housing developer and TED Fellow Bree Jones shares how she found a way to revitalize neighborhoods experiencing hyper-vacancy while preventing gentrification — supporting home buyers and transforming communities along the way.

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57 Comments

57 Comments

  1. Nona Manis 🌺

    October 14, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    “Stay away from negative people. they have a problem for every solution.”
    — 🇩🇪 *ALBERT EINSTEIN* 🇺🇲👏😊

    😊👏😊👏😊👏😊👏😊👏😊👏

  2. McGee

    October 14, 2022 at 1:55 pm

    It’s interesting to see a white people not welcome here neighborhood spring up. They just coin it as “Legacy community.”

  3. LEV!ATHAN

    October 14, 2022 at 1:59 pm

    I’m a white upper middle class American homeowner. After watching crime rise in my city and a high profile murder in my local park I decided on the spot to sell. At the time two people told me it was irresponsible to sell because it would be “white flight” and continue the trend of falling property values and a diminished tax base. When I moved to my new city (Austin) I was told that I was contributing to gentrification.

    • McGee

      October 14, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      Once you realize they will complain about everything, you understand that you don’t have to care.

    • LEV!ATHAN

      October 14, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      @McGee That is exactly how I felt. I don’t remember MLKs dream being about checking the melanin levels of home buyers in any given area. Not caring about this nonsense is truly liberating.

    • McGee

      October 14, 2022 at 2:33 pm

      @LEV!ATHAN It’s not uncommon for people to want to feel connected to their community. It’s just on the one hand you have advocates of identity based communities, and on the other the same folks call that racism when it’s not a POC community.

      Ann Coulter in her book (Adios America) rightly points out, “diversity” is really just code for less white people.

      When you moved from a high crime area to a low crime area, there are other particular statistics there; higher rated schools, higher home prices, and a certain demographic shift.

      All this can be understood from Charles Murray’s Book (The Bell Curve) not to mention Dinesh D’Souza’s book (The End of Racism.)

      So, no you’re not wrong, and yes there is a double standard.

      The more you read the more you know.

      However, I think it’s fantastic they are able to reignite a neighborhood in the way of their choosing.
      I think that demonstrates the power of American Free Market Capitalism. Milton Friedman would be proud. More power to them. It’s a power they’ve always had but forgot. Or have been sold some victim narrative about.

    • LEV!ATHAN

      October 14, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      @McGee Great comment. Spot on.

    • free2

      October 14, 2022 at 4:16 pm

      @McGee There’s a whole lot of “theys” in your comment. Do you realize how condescending you sound?

      You cannot talk about identity politics and try to compare old historically tight knit neighborhoods of color with the recently built white suburbs that many people are fleeing to. That’s not remotely the same thing. There is value in improving historically redlined communities instead of fleeing to the nearest new suburban development.

      Diverse means exactly that. Diverse. That does not mean less white people as much as more different types of people. Why is the idea of a neighborhood full of different types of people so abhorrent to your kind? And by your kind I mean people who would unironically quote Anne Coulter and the Bell curve. Anne Coulter is trying to build hysteria among the white community and apparently, it is working.

      What does the bell curve, a book that has been repeatedly discredited, have anything to do with gentrification, communities of color, and white flight? Your bias against communities of color is showing.

  4. Kara Anderson

    October 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    That’s how blacks can’t afford.

  5. Gaasuba Meskhenet

    October 14, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    Property ownership caps.
    Property hoarding should be illegal.
    No more scalping housing!

  6. Katherine Morales

    October 14, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    Amazing ted talk.

  7. Peace & Blessings

    October 14, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    Do it in Detroit

    • Elijah

      October 14, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      Extremely high risk relatively low return …..

  8. President of the Manosquare

    October 14, 2022 at 2:06 pm

    Shows pictures of abandoned buildings…

    These kinds people never have any actual ideas to solve their issues which stem from the family and social community.

    Her first point is that it’s the government and banks problem… not the people who live there. Second point is gentrification… other people’s fault.

    It’s never the responsibility of the people to make their area of occupation the best it can be. Building homes does nothing of the people in them don’t care about their own lives.

  9. Lena Venskaya

    October 14, 2022 at 2:20 pm

    The houses in the photo are in such a state that it would not be easier to demolish their remains and build new ones? Financial plan using the same. Such a deep reconstruction usually requires more time and investment than building a new one.

    • Olen Cone

      October 15, 2022 at 6:54 am

      I don’t know about Baltimore, but here in Florida it can often be cheaper and faster to renovate instead of going through the permits and inspections and such for demolition and new construction — and as long as at least 2 walls (or maybe just 1?) of the original structure is standing, it can be classified as a renovation instead of new construction. It’s going to depend on the local laws tho.

  10. shezario

    October 14, 2022 at 2:33 pm

    would have been great to have some results to show for the talk. The concept is great, if it’s viable. The problems I see are less about the demand but rather the actual cost of repair. If the overall cost for the
    new owner ends up being more than rebuilding, it’s not really value added.

    will be watching with interest though

  11. Аб дулла

    October 14, 2022 at 2:50 pm

    “People of different religions and cultures live side by side in almost every part of the world, and most of us have overlapping identities which unite us with very different groups. We can love what we are, without hating what — and who — we are not. We can thrive in our own tradition, even as we learn from others, and come to respect their teachings.”

    ─ KOFI ANNAN
    _said in 2001_

    • WhatsApp +𝟏 (𝟒𝟏𝟎) 𝟕𝟏𝟒‑𝟔𝟎𝟒𝟏‬

      October 14, 2022 at 5:44 pm

      🔝ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴜᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴘʀᴏғɪᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ɪɴsɪɢʜᴛs📩

    • Lindy Robertson

      October 16, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      That’s certain possible BUT it doesn’t happen often! This young woman has achieved something rare and remarkable!!

    • Vytautas

      October 16, 2022 at 1:36 pm

      It is not the case anymore.

  12. 93VIDEO

    October 14, 2022 at 3:06 pm

    Clever … Intelligent … Bravo !

  13. krninja22

    October 14, 2022 at 3:18 pm

    A housing advocate. 🤡 AKA she doesn’t like whites. Next.

  14. Stan

    October 14, 2022 at 3:27 pm

    They are doing this all over Miami. Every time I come home I see something new. Family businesses are being bought out and people and getting bribed to leave.

    • Olen Cone

      October 15, 2022 at 6:48 am

      They’re doing it in Central Florida too — the county is basically clearing out my hometown so their “preferred” developer can build “approved” units for their list of “pre-approved” tenants. And you can either sell your land to them so they can build their quarter-million dollar homes on them, comply with their demands and build the homes yourself (they’ll even waive a lot of the regulatory fees), or they will find a way to make you (like liens). The low-income residents who were already there are “undesirable” (and a whole lot of other less re-printable words from the Code Enforcement lady), and they’re looking forward to the higher tax income from the “pre-approved” people on their little gentrified list.

    • Telegram 👉MrBigKid

      October 16, 2022 at 6:54 pm

      I have something for you 🎁…..

  15. Paul Atreides

    October 14, 2022 at 3:41 pm

    Gentrification is a good thing.

    • carmonkey

      October 14, 2022 at 5:39 pm

      for who???

  16. A.I.

    October 14, 2022 at 3:55 pm

    No. Confirmation that these neighborhoods are “risky” are walking down the street and taking one to the dome. Getting robbed. Stepping on a syringe. Would I rather visit a rundown Baltimore slum, or a gentrified neighborhood? Hmmm. If you want to bring black people out of poverty then you have to look at TRADE POLICY!

  17. Isaac Kotlicky

    October 14, 2022 at 3:56 pm

    I know the chance of the speaker seeing this is approximately zero, but having been a long time baltimore resident and an economist I’ve thought a lot about this specific problem and have some ideas for community development spurred from within.

    • free2

      October 14, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      You should reach out to the organization through their website.

    • Lindy Robertson

      October 16, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      It would be interesting to hear your ideas too?

    • Lindy Robertson

      October 16, 2022 at 12:34 pm

      (Isaac I mean)

  18. CloakedCedric

    October 14, 2022 at 4:14 pm

    So, through depending on charity?

    • free2

      October 14, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      In part, yes. They are reaching out to donors and investors. Does that bother you?

    • WhatsApp +𝟏 (𝟒𝟏𝟎) 𝟕𝟏𝟒‑𝟔𝟎𝟒𝟏‬

      October 14, 2022 at 5:35 pm

      🔝ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴏᴜᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴘʀᴏғɪᴛᴀʙʟᴇ ɪɴsɪɢʜᴛs 📩

    • CloakedCedric

      October 15, 2022 at 2:20 am

      @free2 Doesn’t bother me, I just think charity is not really a dependable or repeatable solution.

    • free2

      October 15, 2022 at 1:24 pm

      @CloakedCedric It’s not self-sustaining to rely on donations if that is what you mean. As she mentioned in the video, investors and lenders weren’t interested in the project at first. But if the project ends up working, investors may be more interested in investing in future developments.

  19. Charlos

    October 14, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    This comment section gives me hope

    • 🆆hatsAp+①④①⑦⑧⑨⑦③③⓪②

      October 16, 2022 at 12:42 am

      ✍️✍️☝️

  20. Dolores Asiamah

    October 14, 2022 at 7:56 pm

    60 years ago my mentor in faith, decided to forgo college to travel the world and dialogue with people from all walks of life.

  21. Michael McAtee

    October 14, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    The question is are these homes selling for more money than the program has put into them? Because if not then it’s not surprising that supply is exceeded by demand. Demand for discounted items is always high. But if they are being sold at a sustainable price and the profits from selling these homes fuels this business that would be quite the achievement.

    • TEXTME 十𝙸(𝟺𝟶𝟿) 𝟸𝟶𝟿 𝟿𝟽𝟽𝟺

      October 14, 2022 at 9:33 pm

      Thanks for watching
      Leave me a msg I’ve got something essential to share ⬆️📩

    • Lindy Robertson

      October 18, 2022 at 8:38 am

      The local municipality or sthr government should obvious subsidise them if it doesn’t! The Government’s might then need to drive older or less flashy cars, but to my mind that’s how it should be!

  22. John Cris

    October 15, 2022 at 12:22 am

    A guest on The Wall Street Journal Report spoke about making over $931,000 in 4months with a capital of $160,000, which made me realize that as a beginner i have alot to learn, so please assist me with any pointers or tips that would help me make this much profit.

    • John Cris

      October 15, 2022 at 12:24 am

      @Gary Lewis Wow that’s an awesome returns of investment, indeed there’s a lot of money to be made in crypto markets trading, I guess it has to be with right people around you. Can you recommend him to me as well? How do I get to him?

    • Gary Lewis

      October 15, 2022 at 12:24 am

      @John Cris check the web and you will find him, drop a msg.

    • John Cris

      October 15, 2022 at 12:25 am

      @Zainab Ismail
      Ok, just found his website, impressive, Thank you.

    • Gary Lewis

      October 15, 2022 at 12:25 am

      @John Cris
      It was my first time using the website and As an investor i have to admit this company is truely professional and give legit service that I recommend for anyone who wants to start investing in Bitcoin or stock.

  23. Vytautas

    October 16, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    Lol… so who were the investors? How the prices were kept lower than average market price? Based on the photograph and story, it seems the houses are sold based on racial profiling. Wow, what a “briliant” idea

  24. Durjoy Giri

    October 16, 2022 at 3:14 pm

    i did’t understand what he want to say

    • Telegram 👉MrBigKid

      October 16, 2022 at 6:53 pm

      I have something for you 🎁….

  25. Remy LeBeau

    October 16, 2022 at 9:53 pm

    They don’t care about the little people! It’s just about the $$$

  26. BG

    October 17, 2022 at 5:37 am

    Gentrification is not else than culture denial.
    In an age where people lose touch with their roots at the profit of technology and big institutions driving the steering wheel no wonder why culture is so shallow.
    Big up to that lady that believes into human culture
    In France gentrification makes things so similar and so blended under same brand icons and concept flags, soon you will be able to have the same lives/businesses/interests all across the diverse social classes within the whole occident, and this, will be a failure for diversity and culture.

  27. Daniel Jacobsen

    October 17, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    Baltimore has had Democrat leadership since 1967. and all but one mayor was black. 2 of the last 10 governors have been white Why is there racism there?

  28. Katy Arnold

    October 17, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    This is lady is God sent to Baltimore, Maryland. She is truely needed in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. This is a wonderful story. This woman Bree Jones cares about the community and it’s citizens. I am glad this black woman is stepping up to help black american citizens in Baltimore, MD who want to become homeowners and leave a legacy of generational wealth to their kids. I just wish it was more black american people like Bree Jones. May God bless!! Mrs. Jones and her non- profit organization,

  29. mark brodeur

    October 18, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    Fifty years ago I decided to become an urban planner. I saw and witnessed first-hand what “Urban Renewal” did. I saw a low income, mostly Irish Catholic neighborhood vanish in a year to make way for a highway and expansion of a nearby hospital. The typical municipal disinvestment was evident. Broken would be a good word to describe the neighborhood. Contrary to popular social beliefs, people weren’t kicked out of their homes. In fact, they were paid over 150% of market value. Everyone opted in. It was sad just the same.
    When I saw the title of this TED Talk, I was immediately drawn to listen but failed to understand how this neighborhood revitalization was not a softer and gentler type of gentrification. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to see the reinvestment here, but as with any other type of urban pioneering, someone had to accept a considerable amount of RISK. The big city investors couldn’t accept that level of risk and she was laughed out of the room. So, who accepted the risk and was there some kind of subsidies, grants, fund raising involved?

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