"Baltimore is a city of possibility, and we've got to challenge the traditional pathways of politics and politicians who lay those paths." - DeRay Mckesson
Today in America, more than half a million people are homeless, and another 11 million spend more than half their income on rent. Public housing and the vouchers the federal government provides are simply not enough to address the underlying social issues that lead to homelessness and housing insecurity. These are the challenges that are currently playing out in Baltimore, says Monica Miller from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
"Baltimore’s ongoing affordable housing battle demonstrates that even with public will to address affordable housing, securing policy solutions isn’t always easy, particularly when well-heeled developers and real estate investors intervene," writes Miller.
This summer, earn valuable credits as you explore the impact redevelopment strategies have on various Baltimore communities. GES 342: Metroplitan Baltimore examines the city's history, current sustainability policies, and city and grassroots responses to historical and persisting structural inequalities. Local site visits will supplement in-class discussion and lectures.
This class will challenge you to think critically about who benefits from sustainability initiatives, and who gets to decide what those initiatives are and where and how they are implemented.