Over time, the Village of Yellow Springs observed a decline in its original population, particularly long-time black residents. AARP engaged WGI to develop a Best Practices Report on how to combat the village’s gentrification, displacement, and equity issues. The team also identified other factors affecting equitable access to resources such as transportation, housing availability, and cost of living. WGI assessed existing conditions and provided case studies with best management practices or gentrification in similar rural towns.

The existing conditions assessment reviewed population, racial/ethnic demographic characteristics, housing statistics, land use, measures of economic opportunity, and transportation infrastructure and accessibility. It also examined ongoing trends over the last three decades resulting in observations such as the declining populations of black and other non-white residents within the village. The case studies contained in the report each outlined best practices employed by government, citizens, or institutions that helped mitigate the effects of gentrification within the municipality. Best practices included historic district designation, coordination with local educational institutions, and promotion of the construction of additional multifamily units. The efficacy of each of the measures outlined in this report is subject to countless factors, but the informed implementation of these measures, where appropriate, may allow the village to grow and provide the support that would allow long-time residents to continue to call the village “home.”