Anti-Displacement
Definition
Policies and programs preventing existing residents from being forced out of their neighborhoods by rising rents, property taxes, or other costs resulting from development or gentrification. Anti-displacement strategies include rent control, just cause eviction protections, property tax relief for long-time homeowners, affordable housing preservation, community land trusts, tenant right-to-purchase, and legal protections against landlord harassment. Anti-displacement requires proactive intervention before displacement occurs.
Louisville Context
Louisville lacks comprehensive anti-displacement policies despite emerging gentrification in West Louisville neighborhoods. Kentucky state law prohibits rent control, limiting Louisville’s anti-displacement tools. Current property tax relief programs reach few eligible residents. No tenant protections exist beyond state minimum landlord-tenant law. No right-to-return programs exist for residents displaced by development. This policy vacuum allows displacement to occur unchecked.
Why It Matters
Waiting until displacement occurs to address it is too late—displaced residents rarely return. Anti-displacement requires proactive policies implemented before gentrification accelerates. Without anti-displacement protections, West Louisville’s coming development will repeat urban renewal’s displacement of Black residents, destroying communities under the guise of improvement. Preventing displacement is a moral imperative and political necessity.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will implement comprehensive anti-displacement strategy within his $1.025 billion budget: property tax freeze for long-time low-income homeowners in gentrifying areas ($5 million annually), rental assistance preventing displacement ($10 million annually), enhanced code enforcement against landlord harassment, expanded legal aid for tenant protections, and community land trusts acquiring properties. He’ll track displacement indicators and intervene early.