Gentrification In Los Angeles: A Divided CIty
Anti- Grentrification protest Courtesy of LA Week, December 27, 2016
Research and Overview
''Gentrification has been an on-going
issue in Los Angeles with the displacements of low-income residents who are
being displaced since rent is too high for them.The gentrification in and around central Los Angeles has made
Lincoln Heights a prime target for investors. It sits just a mile and a half
from downtown and has its own walkable commercial district on Broadway’’ according
to the The Times in their article A Dream Displaced. According to the same article, among
the 74% of residents who rent in Lincoln Heights, fear of eviction ”. This lets us know how gentrification is a big issue and is morally
and socially wrong."The combination of rising property values, the lack of
rent control, dozens of new condo developments, Metro's expansion, and the Los
Angeles Rams moving to nearby Inglewood, is contributing to South Central Los
Angeles' struggle with gentrification” quotes KCET in their article The History
of South-Central Los Angeles and Its Struggle with Gentrification. New
development being brought into the city is what is causing the high rent in
communities like South Central and causing major Gentrification in Los Angeles.A break down of what gentrification is
Courtesy of Johanna Bockman from George Mason University March 2, 20014
Video Clip on Gentrification in Los Angeles
"As
development in Los Angeles brings money and glassy towers to Los Angeles,
debates about gentrification follow. The process is often portrayed as
revitalization, but, as many have seen firsthand throughout Los Angeles, it
always seems to bring with it waves of displacement." quotes Curbed Los
Angeles in their article New Documentary explores history of
gentrification in LA. This documentary touches over the number of residents
near Boyle Heights, Long Beach, and South Central and how they are directly affected by
gentrification unjustly. It also mentions that LA County
residents must pay over 90% of their monthly income on just rent. Below is the
link to the documentary that showcases the conditions in way families live and how gentrification is the major cause of it. The poor living condition is a cause of their high rent.
https://youtu.be/11508ex1Xxg
Map of Los Angeles and Gentrification areas
Below is a picture of Gentrification
In Los Angeles indicating which areas are most affected with gentrification. It
depicts which areas are most affected with the most displacement pressure.
Testimonies (California State University Students)
Keyona Dugger (Boyle Heights Resident)
"I live alone with my mother, and rent has been going up tremendously year after year, forcing us to be kicked out. We hardly have any money for the things we used to be able to afford. Things need to start changing immediately before they turn worse. "
Zaira Sanchez (South Central)
"We have to move out very very soon because the rent is no where near our budget anymore, this is a form of discrimination of minorities."
Nyah Benae (Boyle Heights)
"I have lived in South Central all my life, my little brother, mom, and dad. They have picked up two other jobs because new business coming in is raising our rent up like crazy! I have to work as well and balancing school at the same time is getting extremely hard."
"We have to move out very very soon because the rent is no where near our budget anymore, this is a form of discrimination of minorities."
Nyah Benae (Boyle Heights)
"I have lived in South Central all my life, my little brother, mom, and dad. They have picked up two other jobs because new business coming in is raising our rent up like crazy! I have to work as well and balancing school at the same time is getting extremely hard."
Why I chose to talk about the issue
The reason why this issue affects me and the reason why I chose to write about it is because I myself have been affected by gentrification. I live in South Central and can see how my neighbors are slowly leaving and the reason is because they cant afford to live in their homes. There needs to be better regulation on home placement and displacement, we are humans and should be treated as so. I am very passionate about human rights and justice that gentrification is a topic I always enjoy talking about. Hopefully this blog can help and inform others about the major displacements going on in Los Angeles. We need to be more informed about what is going around in our communities and try to help out as much as we can top hopefully put a stop to gentrification once and for all.
Sources
Barraagan, Blanca New Documentary Explores History Of Gentrification and its Presence in LA, Sep 13, 2017
https://la.curbed.com/2017/9/11/16288832/gentrification-la-city-rising-documentary-boyle-heights
Bouaqet, Chris Where is Gentrification Happening in your City June 5, 2017
Bocman, Johanna Gentrification in DC, March 2,004
https://www.slideshare.net/sseuser/gentrification-in-dc
Hillel, Aron 2016: The Year of Nimby December 27, 2016
https://www.laweekly.com/news/2016-the-year-of-the-nimby-7742914
Mejia, Brittny A Dream Displaced Los Angeles times April 3, 2018
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