For nearly three decades, residents of East Austin have gathered at Rosewood Park to celebrate Juneteenth. However, many have been forced to move out due to soaring housing costs in their neighborhood.
This year’s Juneteenth event, scheduled for June 15, will once again honor the abolition of slavery with a march and community gathering at Rosewood Park.
The youth association has been instrumental in organizing this event for over 20 years. According to Dawson, the escalating housing prices are pushing people away, making it unaffordable to rent or buy homes.
In 1995, owning a home for $50,000 was feasible. Now, properties start at over $300,000.
The face of East Austin is evolving due to the steep housing costs, leading to an exodus of African American and Latino populations from the region, including Austin as a whole.
The spike in housing prices in Austin, particularly post-pandemic, can be attributed to the influx of migrants from various parts of the United States, intensifying competition for rental properties and homes for sale.
Moreover, the post-COVID inflation has impacted the affordability of the Juneteenth event, as Dawson highlighted the considerable rise in prices for entertainment, food, and drinks, making it challenging to secure sponsors.
The essence of the Juneteenth celebration lies in preserving community bonds and passing on knowledge from elders to the youth. Dawson emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for younger generations to interact with role models within the community and aspire to leadership positions.
By fostering these connections, Dawson believes that the young generation can be inspired to envision themselves as future city managers and mayors by looking up to established community leaders.