Most people impacted by gentrification have been minorities that may not have been able to live in the area they used to live and have been forced to move far away from their jobs and their children’s schools. This has been developing around Huntington Park, but it has not actually hit just yet.
Gentrification is made to appeal to the upper class while pushing aside the people who are less fortunate.
Gentrification is when homes or buildings, in general, are renovated, increasing the rent, in order to create more inexpensive homes for families with higher income. This results in low-income families having to leave their former homes and having to search for a new one.
I happen to have family members that have been impacted by gentrification and I had the pleasure of sitting down with them and interviewing them on the subject.
My aunt lives in a community that has been completely renovated, except her house, so she was able to witness everything going on.
At first, she didn’t know what gentrification meant, but once I explained, she immediately said “Like right here in my neighborhood.” She may have not been impacted yet, but she has seen families come and go as the rent money has increased. When asked how long gentrification would last, she responded with “Until they get rid of the poor.” I was wondering, by the time they “get rid of the poor”, where would she be. She answered saying that she would hopefully be out of Los Angeles, but it would be difficult because both of her kids have disabilities and that would make it hard for her to find neighbors that would be fine with temper tantrums at midnight.
Gentrification will cause families to lose their homes just for the sake of fancier, more appealing buildings. Is the shiny, modern architecture really worth it when people are becoming homeless?
Image Source: Hyper Allergic and photographyer, Timo Saarelma
Written by Diego Medina