Where do we go from here? Imagining a better post COVID world for Urban America
East Cleveland is a city in Northeast Ohio. A long time ago, it was one of the most prosperous areas of the Midwest. Home to ‘millionaires’ row’ till the first half of the 20th century, many illustrious figures such as John Rockefeller lived here. This started changing after the second world war, as other suburbs rapidly expanded- aided by cheap oil and the widespread use of cars. As East Cleveland suffered an exodus, discriminatory federal housing policies such as redlining (see figure) changed the demographics of the city to a predominantly black neighborhood by the 1960s. These changes have contributed substantially to making East Cleveland one of the poorest neighborhoods in Northeast Ohio today.
Poverty and want have many dimensions. Unfortunately, East Cleveland does not fare well in most of them. Poverty rates are >40%, with a similar number of people on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, popularly known as food stamps). The limited purchasing power of the community contributes to the absence of farmer markets- a reliable source of fresh and healthy produce. Moreover, too many East Cleveland residents have low food access, per the census definition. The poverty, in the context of the historic housing discrimination, has cut off access to the biggest source of wealth to American families — house ownership. More than two thirds of people living in East Cleveland are renters, nearly twice the state average.
As we enter an age of climate change, the effects will not be felt equally. COVID-19 has disproportionally affected black communities. East Cleveland is one of the most vulnerable communities to environmental risks, and one of the least resilient. This is partly a result of its crumbling infrastructure, poverty and lack of home ownership as a source of wealth. Unless we do something to make cities such as East Cleveland more resilient, the next disaster will again impact East Cleveland more than most.
What should be done? Before we ask that question, we must assign moral responsibility for the current state of affairs. Neglect and discrimination from the Federal government is what reduced a prosperous neighborhood to paupery, and so it is the US government that bears responsibility for righting its wrongs. By doing so, the Federal government has a chance to atone for its historical sins. And given that East Cleveland is but one community that has suffered this way, it’s fitting that policy prescriptions should be applied nationally.
To start, the government should invest money in providing downpayment assistance to low income families that live in a formerly redlined neighborhood. In addition, given the shortage of affordable rental housing, government investment is needed to increase the supply of high density, affordable, multi-unit housing. The downpayment assistance should incentivize purchase of housing units in multi-unit buildings, rather than single family homes. Dense, multi-unit buildings are the future of sustainable cities- and sustainability has to be at the core of any housing reform.
Second, SNAP has to undergo reform- keeping the health of its beneficiaries as a core focus. SNAP reform should incentivize recipients to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, while increasing the cost of purchasing processed food- in particular, concentrated sugar drinks. Instead of having billions of dollars of federal money flowing to giant corporations, creating local demand for fresh produce will allow a healthy demand for farmer markets and local grocers that prioritize fresh and healthy produce. Given that communities such as East Cleveland have some of the highest rates of chronic disease and premature death, such food reform is long due.
And finally, there has to be an all-out war against poverty. With rising automation, in the context of expanding inequality, it is increasingly becoming clear that the fruits of automation will not be shared equally- if the market is left to its own devices. In fact, as COVID-19 has shown, with a rising stock market in the face of staggering job losses, those who own capital may have effectively decoupled their financial well-being from working class people. The time has come for a universal basic income. Implementing such a scheme will ensure citizens have access to a basic suite of amenities. It will allow the financial benefits of technological progress to accrue to everyone, and not just those who own capital. Such a program will provide purchasing power to the community, and provide demand for local businesses and the local economy. It can provide a new start. But most importantly, for too many people in the country who have been deprived of it, it may lead to the restoration of certain inalienable rights. Among those being Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
