Through this research project, I have learned many interesting aspects in regards to urban gentrifications of Downtown, Flushing. There is not only changes in the landscapes, buildings, and restaurants in Flushing but soon enough there will also be demographic changes in the area of Downtown, Flushing. One of the main aspects in which I wanted to focus on in this project was rent control and how the increase in rent is beginning to conquer over the lives of many Flushing residents. Often times, those who reside in Flushing come from immigrant households and attain jobs that only pay minimum wage, which is barely enough to pay the rent of a simple one bedroom house in Flushing. The residents in Flushing have been and in some cases are being pushed out of their homes either because they are not able to pay the rent their landlords demand and or because the houses are literally being torn down in order for large businesses to move in. In the article, “A Case of Construction Eviction in Queens”, Jeremy Magno states, Rent stabilization laws have kept harshly expensive New York City livable for some, but residents of rent-stabilized units are disparately affected by predatory real estate” (1). When rent increases this aspect negatively affects the current residents who live in Downtown Flushing because most of the people in Flushing come from low-income immigrant households and they can not afford the prices of recent rents. For those who current residents in Flushing have lived there for many years and now they are being forced to leave their homes behind and some are being evicted without even knowing about the increase in rent beforehand. There are many reasons as to why there are so many urban changes taking place in Downtown, Flushing, and one of the main reasons is because of gentrification. There is large business taking over the neighborhood of Flushing and these businesses are taking over apartments and house where typically residents use to live. Although the rent in Downtown, Flushing has increased over the past few years and residents of Flushing have been pushed out of their homes, there still remains the hope for the future. There are many organizations such as the Minkwon Center that allows voices to be heard and actions to take place so that people do not lose their homes and other valuable aspects in their communities. The Minkwon center creates an atmosphere filled with hope and a new future. In addition to helping those who are having housing troubles, The Minkwon center encourages the youth to also be a part of their organization because the power of young people and leaders of the future are the ones that can also make a difference. Some of the contributions of The Minkwon Center were mentioned in the film above, the rally and the march was taken place to make a difference for the lives people in Downtown, Flushing and for anyone was suffering to pay the price of the rent increase. Often people are too afraid or unaware of how to have their voices heard, however, The Minkwon Center is here to help to make a difference for people and to protect the homes of people so that they are able to live in their homes peacefully. Recently, there were laws passed that have supported the rights of many tenants, where tenants are now able to fight for the right to keep their homes without worrying about landlords “kicking” them out. In Samuel Stein’s article, Tenants Won This Round, Stein states, “Last week’s gathering to celebrate the historic expansion of rent stabilization, rent control, and anti-eviction measures, however, was the first time I’d ever seen tenants in the state capital crying tears of joy” (1). For a very long time tenants have struggled in terms of housing conditions and they still continue to fight for their homes. Although their problems that occur in these houses such as no heat, broken doors and windows and, costly rents for people many people in Downtown, Flushing their homes have a lot of emotional and sentimental connections for them. It is because of determination, effort, and unity of many that have helped laws passed and today the voices of tenants are heard. Despite the fact that many tenants continue to struggle to pay their rents and have their voices heard there has progress made and many are still fighting to make a difference for the help those who need the most help. With the help of the members of The Minkwon Center, volunteers, official consuls, advocate leaders, and the tenants there have been changes made, voices that have been heard, and actions are taking place. As said by all the people in the “Moral Rally of Housing”...“The People United Will Never Be Defeated”.
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