Hi Kate,

This unafforadable housing for the “average” person in PA that you’re writing about is familiar within the black community, gentrification. If you are not familiar with the term- Gentrification is a trend in urban neighborhoods, which results in increased property values and the displacing of lower-income families and small businesses.

Although your situation isn’t an exact parallel, housing becomes unaffordable and those who are richer, more privileged stay or move-in and there’s a boom in infrastructure growth, check out Atlanta. Although our first responders don’t lose work (they work for the richer) the community now looks different and what gave it that special aura has now faded.

If you’d like I can try to put you in touch with folks who are working to ease/end gentrification and maybe help you with some strategies. Best of luck to you and your family and be sure to promote the “sharing economy”. Access= Financial Empowerment

-Herd