Community Benefits
Community Benefits Agreement
What is a CBA?
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A community benefits agreement, or CBA, is an economic empowerment tool used by stakeholder organizations to negotiate directly with developers for the benefits most important to them. The goal of the CBA is to participate meaningfully in the development of urban development projects to improve lives for local residents.
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Using CBAs as a Tool to Combat Negative Effects of Gentrification in the West Grove
Community Equity Tool: The Community Benefits Agreement (CBA)
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Working with the UM Law Center for Ethics and Public Service and Legal Services of Greater Miami, GRACE created a model CBA which strives to expand housing and job opportunities for former and current black residents of the West Grove.
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GRACE began negotiating CBAs with developers on Charles and Plaza Avenue after they filed applications with the City of Miami for the approval of certain land use and zoning amendments, which will allow for additional density and height for the proposed development projects.
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As a direct response to land use and zoning change requests made be developers, GRACE seeks to provide a community-based and equitable economic development perspective to developers by negotiating community benefits in an effort to lessen the negative effects of gentrification for the West Grove community.
Understanding Gentrification
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The Urban Displacement Project defines “gentrification” as a process of neighborhood changes in a historically disinvested neighborhood, by means of real estate investment and new higher-income residents moving in - as well as demographic change - not only in terms of income level, but also in terms of changes in the education level or racial make-up of residents.
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Understanding gentrification is complex and requires an understanding of the historic conditions, policies, and practices that created the conditions for gentrification. Although gentrification can be positive, it is often associated with displacement, which means that in some communities, long-term residents are not able to stay to benefit from new investments in housing, healthy food access, or transit infrastructure.
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A “disinvested” neighborhood refers to a neighborhood that receives less or unequal investment (i.e., money or real estate development) for neighborhood improvements, businesses, or shared spaces in the community. A “historically disinvested” neighborhood is one that has experienced, over the course of a period of years, unequal treatment as it relates to neighborhood investments.
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Disinvested neighborhoods tend to be more affordable, with older and historic housing stock that appeals to new residents, and therefore, more susceptible to gentrification.
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For more information on this topic, visit the Urban Displacement Project’s website: Gentrification Explained.
Effects of Gentrification on the West Grove Community
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The West Grove is a historically black and Bahamian community that remained racially-segregated as a black community until 1954.
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The historic conditions of racial segregation, redlining, and discriminatory policies affecting the West Grove community are well documented. In fact, CEPS has conducted extensive research on behalf of the West Grove community. CEPS’ research helps prove the disparate impact these conditions have had on the black community and shows a clear pattern of disinvestment—making the West Grove a historically disinvested neighborhood.
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By 2019, the West Grove community had experiencing increased real estate speculation, requests from developers for land use and zoning changes, and significant changes to the historic character of the neighborhood. As a result of these changes, black and low-income residents of the West Grove have been at higher risk of losing their home, being evicted, displaced, or relocated to hyper-segregated neighborhoods throughout Miami-Dade County and South Florida.
What is the purpose of a CBA?
CBAs aim to benefit both parties: the developer commits to providing specified community benefits, and community groups agree to support the project in the governmental approval process.
Through CBAs, low-income communities can shape development projects to benefit their neighborhoods.
Each CBA should be tailored to fit the community’s needs.
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How does West Grove Benefit From Having a CBA?
Community Benefits Agreements provide for a coordinated effort between community groups, the City, and Developers to maximize the benefits of a development project for a community.
Key Sections of a CBA
Purpose: lists the parties involved, the name of the project that the CBA is focused around, and provisions of the CBA.
Definitions: lists key terms used in the document.
Terms: part of the Definition section. Should be unique to each CBA, depending on the sections included and needs of the community.
Enforcement: this is the section that makes the document legally binding on all parties involved and allows the community to bring action against the developer, if needed. Most important section in a successful CBA.