Gentrification - Haiti Observer Blog

How many people thought that the problem of gentrification currently faced by the residents of Little Haiti has anything to do with climate change and sea level rise in Miami? Probably, not too many. This is the reality my friend, Little Haiti is a prime land in Miami because it has higher elevation and thus less prone to long-term effect of sea-level-rise. And as a consequence, developers are buying up land in areas such as Little Haiti like crazy. As sea levels continue to rise, investors in Miami are buying up land with higher elevation, often displacing low-income residents

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Miami's downtown boom and rising price for the space are pressing and threatening Little Haiti's longtime residents and business owners to move to some affordable places. Another big concern for the local Haitians is related to self owned properties.

About 85% of the Haitian owner rent their properties and sign their agreements without understanding what they are signing, and most of them sign without the presence of their lawyers. On December 3rd, they gathered in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood to deliver messages about the rapidly changing neighborhood and its preservation:

"Little Haiti is not for sale, Say no to gentrification, We want to stay." However, as per the statement of the Northeast Second Avenue Partnership (NE2P) authority, it is attempting to revitalize the area while preserving (?) authentic Haitian culture, art and history -- and the people who produce them.

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