Hello, Tigers! This is sophomore Isabel Rodriguez. I chose to write about Skid Row to bring awareness to the neighborhood and further educate people about this topic. These types of environments also show why we should always be grateful for what we have.
What is Skid Row?
Skid Row is a neighborhood located in Los Angeles on the east side of downtown. Skid Row includes one of the largest populations of homeless people in the United States with an estimate of over 4,400 homeless people. Skid Row was intentionally created when the city decided that having all of the homeless services and shelters in one area would contain the homeless population to that area. The residents of Skid Row are a diverse group of individuals, many of which are struggling to rebuild their lives and provide for themselves and their families. There are more than 100 families living in Skid Row, including over 200 children. These families face extreme hardships, but they continue to fight for a better future. The city’s ongoing issues, including the lack of affordable housing, the lack of attention and resources needed to improve mental health, and substance abuse have made Skid Row a main topic for debates about homelessness.
History of Skid Row
The history of Skid Row dates back to the early 19th century. The name “Skid Row” refers to areas where logs were skidded down to be processed. In Los Angeles, “Skid Row” became associated with low-income and homelessness. In the early 19th century, Skid Row was made up of warehouses, factories, and railroads. Many low-income workers, including immigrants, settled in this part of the city due to the jobs and transportation available. During the Great Depression, the population of homeless and low-income individuals in Skid Row grew dramatically. Due to Los Angeles’s rapid population growth, finding affordable housing was difficult. People lost their homes and went to Skid Row where living expenses were more affordable. By the mid 2000s, the city began to put in homeless resources in the area, such as shelters and mental health services and programs, to help these people get back on the right track and find jobs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Skid Row stands as a reminder of the issues of homelessness and poverty within our society. Skid Row has ongoing struggles with being associated with danger. Despite the challenges the people who live there experience, it is important to remember that they are still human beings trying to survive and provide for themselves and their families. Skid Row should be a reminder that you’re lucky to have what you have today.
