Impacts of downtown revitalization on the homeless: A study of Skid Row, Los Angeles

The hyper-marginalized status of the homeless makes them particularly vulnerable to processes of urban restructuring, including downtown renewal. Downtown Los Angeles is a hub of both homelessness and urban renewal. Within this context, I examine some of the effects of this redevelopment using Los Angeles' Skid Row as a case study.; How does downtown renewal impact the lives of the homeless? To answer this question, I undertook a spatial analysis to determine the extent of redevelopment as it encroaches on Skid Row. I also interviewed individuals involved in, and impacted by, downtown redevelopment. There are direct and indirect impacts on the homeless, and I conclude that understanding these impacts can help mitigate negative effects.