Origins and Early Development (1870s-1930s)

• Railroad terminus established in 1870s brought workers to area that became Skid Row
• 50 city block area in downtown LA where railroad ended
• Originally housed single young men working railroad yards - unloading cars, boxing citrus
• Bars, saloons, brothels, single resident hotels (SROs) developed early
• Oil industry, automobile industry, film industry brought more migrants westward
• Area became overrun - not enough jobs, people sleeping in hobo encampments, rail yards, cars
• 1930s: Depression and Dust Bowl migration cemented permanent underclass
• Became the Skid Row we know today from 1930s onward

WWII and Korean War Impact

• LA as port of exit/entry for soldiers
• Veterans returned with PTSD, drug addiction, alcoholism
• Many stayed in LA and migrated to Skid Row
• Added significantly to population

1976 Containment Policy

• Urban renewal in 50s-60s: other cities built highways through skid rows
• LA city leaders chose preservation over demolition in 1976
• Designated area for "extremely low income" (mostly no income) residents
• Dual perspective: humanitarian vs containment strategy
• "Don't leave this 50 square block area" - like Escape From New York
• Allowed downtown gentrification around contained area

1980s-90s Improvements

• SRO hotels refurbished/demolished for residents
• Gentrified Skid Row for existing residents
• Cecil Hotel refurbishment (now up for sale after COVID shutdown)

Current Population and Demographics

• 10,000-11,000 unhoused people (fluctuating numbers)
• Few thousand live in tent city
• Rest in shelters, SRO hotels, newer mini apartments (nonprofits)
• 20% US military veterans
• Most are black males, but all demographics present

Current Housing Crisis and Threats

• SRO buildings from 80s-90s financially troubled, becoming dilapidated
• Skid Row Housing Trust (biggest provider) went into receivership last year
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation trying to take over properties
  • City blocking deal due to their own building management problems
• Progression toward knocking down buildings, building high-rises for residents
• New mini apartments vs old SRO rooms:
  • Old: single room, bed, desk, shared bathroom down hall
  • New: complete units with private bathrooms, can stay inside without leaving

Arts District Gentrification Context

• Downtown Arts District (brew pubs, restaurants, wine bars, theaters) directly adjacent
• Tourists may not realize 10,000 people living on streets blocks away
• Apple TV show "Platonic" filmed in Arts District with Seth Rogan