| This study explores stakeholder concerns about the risk of gentrification and economic displacement in connection with California's Climate Investments. Through analysis of 22 stakeholder interviews as well as the Program Guidelines for California's high-speed rail program and seven competitive grant programs funded through Cap-and-Trade, I make recommendations for improving the effectiveness of these programs while minimizing the risk of resident displacement. The programs chosen as the objects of analysis for this research include the Cap-and-Trade funded investments that support transit and active transportation infrastructure, housing development, and urban greening, all of which have been found to trigger increased land values in certain contexts.;Interviews carried out in the scope of this study elevated three main themes: (1) Setting in place a suite of anti-displacement strategies that address this complex phenomenon from a variety of angles is the most effective way to combat it; (2) Understanding local context is critical to setting effective anti-displacement strategies that meaningfully address community need; and (3) Lack of collaboration and communication between administering state agencies hinders program success in terms of coordinating outreach and technical assistance, sharing best practices, and ability to creating holistically sustainable communities. The Strategic Growth Council's Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities and Transformative Climate Communities programs emerged as best practices in terms of anti-displacement, workforce development, and community engagement requirements and incentives, although improvements could be made in order to strengthen existing strategies and sharing of best practices with other agencies. |
