| Skid Row | |
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| — Neighborhoods of Los Angeles — | |
| Central City East | |
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Skid Row
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | County of Los Angeles |
| City | Los Angeles |
| Government | |
| • City Council | Jan Perry, Jose Huizar |
| • State Assembly | John Pérez (D) |
| • State Senate | Gilbert Cedillo (D) |
| • U.S. House | Lucille Roybal-Allard (D) |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 11.2 km2 (4.31 sq mi) |
| Population (2000)[2] | |
| • Total | 17,740 |
| • Density | 1,587.3/km2 (4,111/sq mi) |
| ZIP Code | 90014 |
| Area code(s) | 213 |
Skid Row, officially known as Central City East,[3] is an area of Downtown Los Angeles. As of the 2000 census, the population of the district was 17,740.[4]
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The area contains one of the largest stable populations of homeless persons in the United States.[5] Local homeless count estimates have ranged from 3,668 to 5,131. The 2011 point in time estimate was 4,316. People passing through this area see cardboard boxes and camping tents lining the sidewalks. According to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the official boundaries are Third and Seventh Streets to the north and south and Alameda and Main Streets to the east and west, respectively.[6] Now, because of heavy involvement with the missions downtown, LAPD,[7] and the Mayor's office, the landscape has dramatically changed from mid-2006 to current.
In 2006, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the number of beds for the homeless was inadequate, and suspended the city's anti-camping ordinance within the official boundaries of Skid Row, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. During the day, homeless individuals are prohibited from sleeping on the sidewalk. The city originally appealed but later settled the case with the ACLU, which permits sleeping on the streets between nine p.m. and six a.m. until 1,250 additional units are built for the homeless population.[8]
Most of the city's homeless and social-services providers such as Volunteers of America, Union Rescue Mission, The Jonah Project, Downtown Women's Center, The Weingart Foundation, Los Angeles Mission Community Clinic, Fred Jordan Mission, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Cardinal Manning Center,[9] and Midnight Mission, are based on Skid Row. An important development took place in 2007 when Union Rescue Mission finally opened a facility outside of Skid Row, known as Hope Gardens,[10] which is exclusively for women and children.
The name is official enough that fire engines and ambulances serving the neighborhood have historically had "Skid Row" emblazoned on their sides.[11] On June 1, 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported that fire officials planned to change the legend on the vehicles to read "Central City East". Many residents supported the change, but it was opposed by firefighters and some residents who take pride in the sense that they live in a tough area.[12]
On July 10, 2011, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the area. They visited a school for the arts for disadvantaged children. [13]
As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 17,740 people and 2,410 households residing in the neighborhood. The population density was 4,111/mi². The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 25.5% White, 16.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 5.8% Asian, 40.7% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 51.4% of the population.[15]
In the neighborhood the population was spread out with 9.8% under the age of 18, 54.7% from 18 to 34, 39.9% from 35 to 64, and 4.6% who were 65 years of age or older.[16]
The per capita income for the neighborhood was $14,210. About 41.8% of the population were below the poverty line.[17]
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) protects the neighborhood with Station #3 in the Business District and Station #9 in Skid Row. Station #9 operates two engines, one truck, and two rescue ambulances. It currently is one of the busiest firehouses in the city.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Central Health Center in Downtown Los Angeles, serving Skid Row.[18]
For his 1980 album Heartattack and Vine, Tom Waits wrote 'On The Nickel' about a section of Fifth street, which in his own words "all the winos affectionately refer to as The Nickel."
A 2007 documentary titled Skid Row featured Pras of the Fugees living as a homeless person.
A 2010 documentary titled Lost Angels, by director Thomas Napper, highlights the stories and struggles of individuals on Skid Row. Napper was inspired to bring awareness of mental illness and homelessness on Skid Row after working on The Soloist.
In 2011 Skid Row was featured in the ABC show "Secret Millionaire".
Skid row as a traditional concept, long preceding its specific use in Los Angeles is mentioned in the lyrics of "God Part II", a track from U2 album Rattle and Hum. The lyric is: "Don't believe in death row, skid row or the gangs; don't believe in the Uzi, it just went off in my hand."
The community is served primarily by one LADOT[19] and 13 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus lines:[20]
The following MTA lines which serves the neighborhood:
Line 16/316 - Downtown Los Angeles to Century City (via 5th and 6th Streets)
Line 18 - Koreatown to Montebello (via 5th and 6th Streets)
Line 20 - Downtown Los Angeles to Westwood (via 7th Street)
Line 51 - Compton to Wilshire/Vermont Station (via 7th and San Pedro Streets)
Line 52/352 - Artesia Transit Center to Wilshire/Vermont Station (via 7th and San Pedro Streets)
Line 53 - California State University, Dominguez Hills to Downtown Los Angeles (via 5th and 6th Streets)
Line 60 - Artesia Station to Downtown Los Angeles (via 7th Street)
Line 62 - Hawaiian Gardens to Downtown Los Angeles (via 5th and 6th Streets)
Metro Rapid Line 720 - Commerce to Santa Monica (via 5th and 6th Streets)
Metro Rapid Line 760 - Artesia Station to Downtown Los Angeles (via 7th Street)
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