2003 Campus-Community Partnerships
Distressed Neighborhoods Database
| Awardee: | Eric
Schwimmer, Graduate student Urban Planning |
| Partner: | Esperanza Community Housing Corporation |
Abstract:
Situated between downtown redevelopment and USC demand for student housing, the Maple-Adams/Hoover-Adams neighborhood of South-Central Los Angeles is experiencing rises in rents and home prices beyond what long-term community members can afford to pay for them. These residents are primarily Latino and have average incomes that are 30-50% of the Area Median Income ($18,000-$26,000 for a family of four). Eighty percent of them are renters. The displacement of these residents undermines community stability, and exacerbates poverty. Community-based organizations in these neighborhoods unanimously recognize this trend of displacement. Esperanza Community Housing Corporation (Esperanza), the CBO sponsor for this project, is at the forefront of efforts to address it.
After years of collecting anecdotal data, Esperanza has identified the need for a more systematic way of isolating trends, pinpointing problem areas, and formulating effective responses to displacement. This project takes the fundamental step toward fulfilling this need by:
* Designing a plan for the creation of a 'Distressed Neighborhoods Database'
* Producing a pilot to test and refine the plan.
Generating a sustainability plan to turn the Database into a real community asset.
This project extensively utilizes both UCLA and community resources, and creates the potential for stronger UCLA/community partnerships.
Pictured (from left): Irene Vargas, Nancy Halpern-Ibrahim, Consuelo Pernía, Virginia Mata, María Lobos, Gabriela González, Monic Uriarte, César Anaya, Marjorie Aparicio, Manuel Ramos, Cindy Huerta. Not shown: Beatriz (Betty) Soto, Norma Linares, Joaquín Meléndez.
