If we want to get gentrification in the Uptown under control, or at least ensure it doesn’t result in displacement, we need to make space (both physical and policy) for non-profit housing providers to develop more subsidized and below-market housing on the Peninsula.

The non-profit housing organizations I’m talking about include Housing Alternatives, Unified Saint John Housing Co-Operative and Saint John Non-Profit Housing. These organizations have a proven track record of supplying housing that is affordable and of good quality.

There’s a place for private development as a partial solution here too, as increasing the market housing stock will relieve some of the demand pressure on existing units. Trouble is that for-profit developers will still end up charging what the overheated rental market can bear.

We also need to make sure that emergency, transitional and supportive housing are provided and well-located in order to respond to a full suite of housing needs. https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/housing-observer-online/2019-housing-observer/wheelhouse-new-way-looking-housing-needs

Finally, a better-connected city is more resistant to localized gentrification. By improving transit and active transportation options between the Peninsula and other neighbourhoods, more places become easily accessible to Uptown amenities, spreading demand over a larger area.

To summarize, my ideas to mitigate Uptown gentrification include supercharging our non-profit housing providers, allowing more market housing (with caveats), looking out for all kinds of housing needs, and stitching the neighbourhoods of the city back together.