User:The Lightning Chronicles/Skid Row, Los Angeles

Non-bolded parts copied from article: Skid Row, Los Angeles

Reformatted some of the data, like the demographics section of the article into 1st section; should reference the original version of the article

 1st Contribution:  *bolded parts are my contributions

In 2019, the Central City East's racial demographics consisted of 22.3% White, 39.7% Black/African American, 16.3% Asian, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, 2.5% American Indian/Alaska Native, 0.6% Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander, 3.1% 2+ races, and 0.5% other races.

According to the city's data, 53.1% of the population were born in California, 27.0% were born in another state, 18.8% were born in another country, and 1.1% were native residents born outside of the United States.

'''The population was estimated to be approximately 10,580 individuals over 0.392 square miles, though there is currently no up-to-date approximation due to limited data. In 2023, the Los Angeles Longitudinal Enumeration and Demographic Survey estimated that the population increased by 13% post the Covid-19 pandemic, though no exact population estimate was provided. Out of the 10,850 estimated to be in the population, 7,004 were identified as male, and 3,574 were identified as female. The age groups in the region''' were spread out with 7.78% being under the age of 18, 1.38% from 18 to 24, 60.94% from 25 to 54, 19.49% from 55-61, and 10.41% who were 62 years of age or older. '''The median age for the male population was 50.9 years, and the median age for the female population was 50.3 years. Among these numbers, veterans made up 9.90% of the 10,850.'''

Excerpt from article: The per capita income for the neighborhood in 2000 was $14,210. About 41.8% of the population was below the poverty line. In 2008, the median household income for Skid Row and the surrounding areas was $15,003. '''In 2019, the median household income for Skid Row residents was approximately $12,070, where 68.9% of the population was below the poverty line. The overall income for Skid Row continued to be below the poverty line at the time, with $67,418 being the average median household income for the Greater Los Angeles population. In 2019, the average household size was 9.9 people living in a single unit. 60.2% of the households in Skid Row were family households consisting of married-couple families with children, 25.2% were single-mother households, and 18.7% were married-couple families.'''

Sources:


 * 1) https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=4700-2020-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-skid-row.pdf demographic source)
 * 2) https://abc7.com/homeless-skid-row-hollywood-venice/12738498/ (demographic source)

 2nd Contribution:  *bolded parts are my contributions

While the Los Angeles Police Department has stood by the policy's effectiveness and its impact on the local community, one study suggested that while crime rates have reduced, higher incarceration rates were a contributing factor to the area's increasing homeless population. The 27,000 arrests over the duration of the short time period of 2005 to 3009, with 1,200 of those arrests being among the SCI’s targeted unhoused population for unpaid citations, showcase the community’s concerns for the Safer Cities Initiative tactics for targeting homelessness. These claims have been echoed by local activists, who argue that the initiative's frequent use of arrest warrants and tickets prevented individuals in need from acquiring long-term housing and career opportunities.

Source: [https://heinonline.org/HOL/Pagecollection=journals&handle=hein.journals/crpp9&id=877&men_tab=srchresults Vitale, A.S. (2010), The Safer Cities Initiative and the removal of the homeless. Criminology & Public Policy, 9: 867-873. https://doi-org.stanford.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/j.1745-9133.2010.00677.x] (same source already included in Wikipedia Article; used it to elaborate more)

 3rd Contribution:  *bolded parts are my contributions

Excerpt of Article (History of Skid Row): The city came to an agreement in May of 2019 that removed the limit on the number of possessions kept on the street in the neighborhood. The agreement allows the city to still seize any items that threaten public safety and health, as well as large “bulky items.” This includes most pieces of furniture or appliances. Items that do not fall into those categories will be stored for 90 days. If an item is deemed important enough, such as medication, it must be able to be claimed within 24 hours.

'''A few years later, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020-2022, Skid Row continued to undergo problems that challenged the livelihood of its residents due to the city's procedures on safety and health. One example of this is explained in an LA Times article by author Emily Reyes, on how it was nearly impossible for Skid Row to remain clean because a law in place was causing these individuals to bring down their tents during the day, which brought these areas many health risks.'''

'''Moreover, one issue at the time was maintaining hygiene at a time when strict sanitation protocols were recommended. An LA Times reporter, James Queally wrote about the effect of the city’s mandated lockdown orders and strict protocols on the citizens. The closing down of public restrooms, stores, and gyms made it hard for many in the area, primarily the homeless, to clean up. In an effort to resolve this, Los Angeles city officials set up 360 hand washing stations and a dozen mobile shower trucks. To offer more resources, recreation centers were turned into housing shelters.'''

Source:

- Queally, James. “‘She Hadn’t Showered in Nine Days.’ L.A. Makes It Hard to Be Homeless, Avoid Coronavirus.” Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2020, https://www.proquest.com/docview/2384094085/12FEE26E8E374D75PQ/1?accountid=14026. Accessed 19 May 2023.

- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-07-29/la-to-resume-major-cleanups-near-shelters-critics-say-it-puts-homeless-people-at-risk

(included the aspect of the pandemic to add to history and issues that are ongoing)