Advocating for the Preservation of Senior Housing: A Coalition at Work Amid Gentrification in Detroit, Michigan

Abstract

As cities become increasingly gentrified, the experiences of their oldest and longest residents often go underrecognized in favor of class-based and racialized concerns about displacement. Underrepresented in both scholarship and organizing efforts, eviction and displacement pose unique threats to seniors because of the link between their health and housing needs. To uncover possible strategies for coalition building and senior housing policy advocacy in quickly changing neighborhoods, this article examines the strategic efforts of Senior Housing Preservation-Detroit (SHP-D). Originally formed in 2013 to address the displacement of a single building of seniors, SHP-D aims to raise awareness of and advocate to preserve housing in a city whose core is rapidly changing. In this article, we offer an overview of the coalition's advocacy as a way to highlight the role of community mobilization toward preserving affordable senior housing. We outline (a) the formation of the coalition, (b) recent developments, (c) strategic planning processes, and (d) lessons learned by this coalition that may be useful for other senior housing advocacy efforts. We conclude by addressing SHP-D's attention to immediate health needs of older adults in congregate housing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MISSING OLDER ADULTS IN A GENTRIFYING DOWNTOWN: Detroit's Rebrand for a Young and Talented Pool of Residents

“…This transformation is quite visible in the streets of downtown, where new high‐end dining and shops occupy once vacant buildings, e‐scooters cruise the streets, and public spaces have been reconfigured to house trendy pop‐up events and street art (Doucet and Smit, 2016; Moskowitz, 2017). The redevelopment of downtown has created concerns about the diminishing amount of affordable housing in the area (Mah, 2021; Perry et al ., 2021). The strain on affordable rental housing in Greater Downtown 1 further underscores these concerns: of the 85% of housing in the area that are rental units (compared to 15% citywide), rent increased by 30% in multifamily units between 2009 and 2015 (compared to 19% citywide) (HR&A Advisors et al ., 2016).…”

Broadening equitable planning: Understanding indirect displacement through seniors’ experiences in a resurgent Downtown Detroit

“…However, this resurgence has also resulted in rising rents and a tightening of decent affordable housing options for low-income residents (Mah, 2021). The 2014 conversion of a seniors subsidized housing building into market-rate luxury apartments (see Mah, 2021; Perry et al, 2015) raised awareness about the need to preserve the existing seniors subsidized housing stock downtown and resulted in the formation of a Seniors Housing Preservation-Detroit coalition (Perry et al, 2021).…”

Assessment of Action Plans as a Guide for Equity-Focused Coalition Work

“…Collaborative capacity within coalitions is required to promote healthy communities and create systemic change (Foster-Fishman et al, 2001). Scientific literature states that formal community collaborations have become a common effort to solving social problems like health disparities and social injustices (Chavis, 2001; Perry et al, 2021). For example, a study by Perry et al (2021) examined the advocacy efforts of a coalition in Detroit, Michigan, that sought to mobilize a community toward preserving affordable housing in an increasingly gentrified city.…”

“…Scientific literature states that formal community collaborations have become a common effort to solving social problems like health disparities and social injustices (Chavis, 2001; Perry et al, 2021). For example, a study by Perry et al (2021) examined the advocacy efforts of a coalition in Detroit, Michigan, that sought to mobilize a community toward preserving affordable housing in an increasingly gentrified city. To promote health equity and decrease disparities, coalitions must be inclusive and provide leadership opportunities to those most affected by inequities (Wolff et al, 2017).…”

“…Research has proven the effectiveness and importance of community coalitions in public health (Butterfoss, Goodman, & Wandersman, 1993; Kegler et al, 1998; Kumpfer et al, 1993; Perry et al, 2021). They work to address a wide range of health topics at the local level, including substance misuse, teen pregnancy, physical inactivity, breast cancer, and tobacco control, among other areas (Kegler et al, 1998).…”