Stuck Between NIMBYism And Anti-Gentrification

Neighbors don't want public housing, public housing residents don't want their homes gentrified -- not quite a win-win situation.

1 minute read

January 14, 2006, 11:00 AM PST

By David Gest

"Potrero Terrace and Potrero Annex are names given to public housing projects about a mile south of Mission Bay [in the San Francisco Bay Area], in which 1940s and 1950s barracks-style concrete buildings are scattered on a dirt-and-grass-covered hillside. They serve a dual role as gang fortress and 635-unit public slum. According to Sangiacomo/Daly math, a new neighborhood made up of 2,000 apartments -- creating about half the population density that's now filling the more urbanized parts of Mission Bay -- would offer subsidized housing sufficient to provide homes for residents currently living at the Potrero projects."

But "In San Francisco, members of the city's 400 neighborhood associations rise to arms every time someone threatens to build apartments somewhere. Public housing residents and members of the Housing Authority Commission are already using the rallying cry "anti-gentrification" to protest increasing the number of units on Housing Authority land."

FULL STORY: Please, In Our Backyard

Wednesday, January 11, 2006 in San Francisco Weekly

Community / Economic Development Housing California

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.