Gentrification’s Grip In Cameron County And The Role of SpaceX

SpaceX's presence is a double-edged sword for Cameron County.

Cameron County, particularly the city of Brownsville, has experienced a wave of gentrification closely linked to the presence of SpaceX's launch site in Boca Chica. While SpaceX projects have brought outsider attention and investment to the area, the consequences of gentrification have been felt keenly by Brownsville residents, particularly those from the Latino community in South Texas.

Gentrification has led to a surge in housing prices, making it increasingly difficult for long-time residents to afford their homes. For some Cameron County residents, their home appraisal values have increased by as much as 100% compared to last year leading to panic around property tax payments and the feasibility of residents remaining in their neighborhoods in the long term. Coupled with high costs around housing, signs of gentrification are impossible to ignore in Brownsville's historic neighborhoods. Bizarre and culturally irrelevant murals perfectly placed next to deserted building fronts make for an eerie foreshadowing of what Brownsville could look like without equitable access to housing and small business ownership initiatives.

This widely unregulated transformation rapidly displaces low-income families who can no longer afford the rising rents and property taxes. Given that the average yearly income for residents in Brownsville is around $28K to $33K, the pathway to homeownership is nearly impossible. As shared in recent news, an average two-bedroom apartment in Brownsville requires a base income of $22 dollars per hour. Meanwhile, the average minimum wage in Texas has a gap of $15 even to reach that hourly rate. On top of that, evictions are occurring at unprecedented rates as families work multiple jobs and still come up short in meeting their basic needs of shelter and survival.

The effects of gentrification on the Latino community in South Texas are profound and perverse, given the knowledge Cameron County politicians had when opening the doors for SpaceX. Brownsville has a rich cultural heritage, and many Latino families have lived here for generations. However, as property values continue to rise, investors with no alignment or cultural affinity to Brownsville residents are beginning to take over the sacred and traditional spaces that once made Brownsville feel like home. The conscious and intentional degradation of Cameron County’s cultural identity, matched with impossibly high housing prices, will drive people out of their homes and safe spaces. Displacement can lead to the fragmentation of social ties and the erosion of cultural traditions that have been integral to the identity of Brownsville's Latino population.

Moreover, the pressure of gentrification on affordable housing options has led to increased homelessness in Cameron County. Many families and individuals are pushed out of their homes and find themselves without stable living conditions, exacerbating existing social issues in the region. The point of gentrification is also interconnected with the availability of jobs and economic opportunities. While SpaceX's presence has brought in some employment opportunities, not all residents have been able to benefit from these positions. The rising cost of living and limited access to well-paying jobs can further marginalize Brownsville's Latino community, widening the economic disparity between different regional groups.

Taking back control and fighting to grow, thrive, and flourish in Cameron County requires strategic advocacy that local community organizations and activists are largely responsible for presently and historically. When leaders are failing to fight for affordable housing initiatives, tenant protections, and equitable development strategies, our community will continue to build and nurture local grassroots power to ensure that the benefits of SpaceX's presence and economic growth are shared inclusively among native residents, preserving the cultural heritage and unique character of Cameron County while striving for a more just and sustainable future.

Next week, I’ll explore how building local power may be Elon Musk’s worst nightmare and Cameron County’s underdog savior.