Chainbreaker Collective took the task of putting together a Voter Guide with a questionnaire relevant to today’s issues. We invited the candidates to respond, and here is what they think about it. Please read the context, and you may find the responses in English and Español below.
Context
Gentrification occurs when a neighborhood that has a history
of disinvestment is suddenly flooded with resources to make
improvements to attract people from outside the area to move
in. When that happens, the people living in the area – most often
low-income people of color – are forced to move out because they
can’t absorb the sudden shock of the market change. Disinvestment
means a lack of resources for parks, schools, sidewalks, transit, jobs,
and access to healthy food and services.
There is a long history of gentrification in Santa Fe. Often, the first
wave of gentrification is brought about by mass evictions. Even
before the Covid-19 pandemic, there was an already existing
eviction crisis in Santa Fe. The pandemic has made the threat much
worse for many renters in vulnerable neighborhoods of Santa Fe.
Community organizing and city efforts helped protect renters with
policies such as eviction moratoriums, and rental support as direct
cash assistance.
Despite these efforts, however, many renters still faced threats and
real evictions during this time. The neighborhoods most impacted
were the areas surrounding Midtown Campus, including Hopewell/
Mann and the Airport Rd. Corridor. These neighborhoods are
particularly vulnerable to the displacement cycle discussed above
because of their locations, demographics, and histories
of disinvestment.
Chainbreaker is currently one of 5 groups that compose the
Midtown Engagement Partnership (MEP). MEP is the official
city cohort responsible for equitable community engagement
about the Midtown development. This group is committed to
authentic and equitable community engagement that centers the
people that are often left out and most affected. At the end of
this process in January, 2022, the MEP will present a report with
recommendations for the development of Midtown based on the
wants and needs of the community.
Regardless of the recommendations from the community
engagement and planning process, the City Council and Mayor will
have the final say. Whoever is elected on November 2 will decide
the fate of the property, and by extension, the neighborhoods
surrounding it in the heart of Santa Fe.