Middle Neighborhoods

We've talked a lot about Chicago (because we love Chicago) but what do middle neighborhoods look like in other cities? Similar to many large cities, Pittsburgh has seen a gradual decline in its share of neighborhoods driven by a decline in majority-white middles, although this may be on the rebound. With a minority population share roughly half that of Chicago's, Pittsburgh's middles are more reflective of the demographics of the city as a whole. Analysis from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24 and Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group's March 18 Policy Power Hour

Research shows that Black #housing wealth varies across local markets, despite recent improvement in the Black homeownership rate nationally. In recognition of Black History Month, Urban experts used the Upward Mobility Data Dashboard to understand changes in Black homeownership and housing wealth at the county level. A new Urban Wire post shares some of these valuable #data insights that policymakers can use to help address housing wealth disparities in their #communities. Learn more.

Middle neighborhoods are often depicted as home to large amounts of single-family housing stock, historically providing homeownership opportunities to the working and middle class. Is that accurate? In Chicago, the share of housing units in multi-family (2+ unit) structures has steadily decreased in majority Black middles over the past 50 years. This is the same as saying the share of single-family households in majority Black middles has been increasing, while majority white middles have not seen an appreciable shift. What is causing this? Analysis from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24

We often think of middle neighborhoods as places with high rates of homeownership, which can be a bulwark against gentrification and a major source of household wealth. In Chicago, we have seen a trend of increasing homeownership rates, especially in majority Black middles, outpacing the modest increases the city has seen overall. Analysis from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24

Are middle neighborhoods in decline? Perhaps, but they are also becoming more diverse. Data show that the 50-year pattern of decline in the share of Chicago's middle tracts is driven primarily by the decline in majority white middles, while majority-minority middle neighborhoods (all colors except navy in this chart) have been expanding. Analysis from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24

We cannot talk about middle neighborhoods without talking about the growing economic disparity between majority white and majority minority middles. The historically Black middle neighborhoods of Greater Chatham on the south side of Chicago have seen stagnant home value appreciation over the past 50 years, in line with Black middles across the city. Chicago's white middles, in contrast, have seen rapidly appreciating home values, driving the growing racial wealth gap. Analysis from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24.

Are middle neighborhoods in decline? Data shows that tracts in the city of Chicago with a median income between 80 and 120 percent of the city's median income make up a much smaller share than they did 50 years ago. Analysis from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24

Over the past 50 years, not only have these principal cities steadily declined in population, they have also declined as a share of their metro area's population. This is important context when considering the decline in a city's middle neighborhoods. Are these middles shifting to the suburbs, moving to another region, or disappearing entirely? Analysis from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24.

More middle neighborhoods context from NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust)'s Middle Neighborhoods session at #RVP24: over the past 50 years, home values in the city of Chicago have kept pace with, and even surpassed, the greater metro area. Meanwhile, the city of Detroit's home values have declined in real terms and in relation to the metro as a whole. What does this mean for a region's middle neighborhoods?

Join me for a Critical Conversation on Rising Homeowners Insurance Costs and Their Impact on Middle Neighborhoods! ?? ??? Date: Thursday, January 30 ? Time: 12:00–1:30 PM Eastern Did you know that 1 in 13 homeowners in the U.S. lack insurance? That's 6.1 million households at risk, with middle neighborhoods disproportionately affected. According to the Consumer Federation of America's latest report: Homeowners earning under $50,000 are twice as likely to lack insurance. 22% of Native American homeowners, 14% of Hispanic homeowners, and 11% of Black homeowners are uninsured. 29% of homeowners who inherited their homes lack coverage. Rising homeowners insurance costs threaten the stability of middle neighborhoods nationwide. In this webinar, Sharon Cornelissen, author of the CFA report, will present her findings and policy recommendations. We'll also hear from practitioners like myself who work directly in middle neighborhoods about the impacts they see and proactive strategies we can adopt to address these challenges. ?? Register Now: https://lnkd.in/ghd9im93.