Editorial “The Erosion of property rights” opines “We need to limit the use of eminent domain to keep local governments from seizing property without due consideration of the property owner.”
WATCHDOG: The law already requires proper financial compensation for property owners. The issue is under what conditions should government be allowed to displace rundown neighborhoods with new development and, under such cases, what arrangements should be made to provide comparable or better housing for those actually living there, be they owners or renters?
Often concentrated public housing has destroyed a sense of community and led to vandalism, crime, and even worse living conditions. More prosperous neighborhoods resist any attempt at ‘scattered’ subsidized housing. So where are those displaced to go?
This allows for no simplistic answer. In fact, Lancaster City wrestled with the problem throughout much of the twentieth century.
