A new study at Furman University reveals gentrification is sweeping through one of Greenville’s most historic communities. The study was requested by the Urban League of the Upstate and Habitat for Humanity to help show the displacement pressure being placed on the Sterling community.A very rich history sits in the Sterling community. The question is will it be visible to the eye as time moves on? The study’s findings show the neighborhood is changing fast.”There are challenges. The real estate market pressure is serious,” said chair of Furman University’s Sociology Department, Dr. Ken Kolb. Kolb says the study reveals Sterling has risen faster than nearly any other part of Greenville County over the past five to 10 years. According to Kolb, nearly half of all renters occupied parcels, and 39% of residential vacant parcels are now owned by LLCs or corporate entities. “It’s facing some serious real estate pressure, at risk of displacing longtime residents. We analyzed every single property transaction over the last ten years and identified exactly how fast property values are rising compared to county averages. And in some instances, we found that there’s portions of Sterling that are rising 135 percent faster than the county average,” Kolb said. Urban League of the Upstate Program Director Asa Briggs says this data will help them paint a clearer picture to residents and what direction they should go to save the area. “This is where our teachers, our professionals lived, and so, to see the dwindling of home ownership in this community is deeply personal,” Briggs said. “As an African American male, I understand that land and home ownership is really a part of wealth transfer.”The study reveals 79% of Black households in the neighborhood are renting their property, which makes them the most vulnerable, according to Kolb. He reassures the community is not defenseless, he names anchors the community has as the tide of gentrification rises around it.”Sterling has a number of assets in place that were put there by some forethought of community leaders years ago, that actually put it in a position of strength to help maintain the community character,” Kolb said. “There are community centers, there’s places of worship, there’s homes built by Habitat for Humanity and Homes of Hope.” Briggs said the study also helps paint a clear picture of housing. “People are being pushed further and further away from the city center and subsequently being pushed further and further away from resources,” Briggs said. Briggs highlights that housing is one of the primary and critical social determinants of health and health outcomes.”Individuals who move frequently or have unstable housing put themselves at risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety,” Briggs said.
A new study at Furman University reveals gentrification is sweeping through one of Greenville’s most historic communities. The study was requested by the Urban League of the Upstate and Habitat for Humanity to help show the displacement pressure being placed on the Sterling community.
A very rich history sits in the Sterling community. The question is will it be visible to the eye as time moves on? The study’s findings show the neighborhood is changing fast.
“There are challenges. The real estate market pressure is serious,” said chair of Furman University’s Sociology Department, Dr. Ken Kolb.
Kolb says the study reveals Sterling has risen faster than nearly any other part of Greenville County over the past five to 10 years. According to Kolb, nearly half of all renters occupied parcels, and 39% of residential vacant parcels are now owned by LLCs or corporate entities.
“It’s facing some serious real estate pressure, at risk of displacing longtime residents. We analyzed every single property transaction over the last ten years and identified exactly how fast property values are rising compared to county averages. And in some instances, we found that there’s portions of Sterling that are rising 135 percent faster than the county average,” Kolb said.
Urban League of the Upstate Program Director Asa Briggs says this data will help them paint a clearer picture to residents and what direction they should go to save the area.
“This is where our teachers, our professionals lived, and so, to see the dwindling of home ownership in this community is deeply personal,” Briggs said. “As an African American male, I understand that land and home ownership is really a part of wealth transfer.”
The study reveals 79% of Black households in the neighborhood are renting their property, which makes them the most vulnerable, according to Kolb. He reassures the community is not defenseless, he names anchors the community has as the tide of gentrification rises around it.
“Sterling has a number of assets in place that were put there by some forethought of community leaders years ago, that actually put it in a position of strength to help maintain the community character,” Kolb said. “There are community centers, there’s places of worship, there’s homes built by Habitat for Humanity and Homes of Hope.”
Briggs said the study also helps paint a clear picture of housing.
“People are being pushed further and further away from the city center and subsequently being pushed further and further away from resources,” Briggs said.
Briggs highlights that housing is one of the primary and critical social determinants of health and health outcomes.
“Individuals who move frequently or have unstable housing put themselves at risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety,” Briggs said.
