Redlining in Los Angeles, CA

During the 1930s communities across California, in this case Los Angeles were coded and graded a level of desirability to live in. Levels “A and B” signified more desirable locations and ensured that it was safe for individuals to secure mortgages and loans. While the “C and D” levels were used to house communities of color and detailed to white homeowners that it was too risky to secure mortgages in those areas. Moreover, what were known as land covenants were used to legalize the restriction and segregation of housing based on an individuals background. It is important to note that redlining was established by the National Housing Act of 1934. The government placed its efforts in providing housing for white families, therefore restricting families of color from purchasing homes. It also restricted black families from buying homes in the suburbs, there by limiting their ability to gain equity from their housing. Overall, redlining was a legal tactic used to segregate communities and limit the access individuals had for resources. 

The historical redlining map details areas which have been segregated to accommodate specific groups of individuals across Los Angeles. With the maps and spatial analysis above, we have been able to understand more about the long lasting trends that have remained due to historical redlining. As detailed historical Area A and Area D redlined areas of LA still remain occupied by the same racial groups and contain the same socio-economic demographics. I have decided to pay closer attention to particular areas of Los Angeles which have been historically redlined. For the purposes of this reference map, I have decided to understand more about the disparities shown across cities such as Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach, South Central, and East LA. Illustrated in Maps 3 and 4, Latinos and Black Angelenos continue to make up a large portion of the redlined areas (South Central, East La). Leading up to recent years, Santa Monica and areas like Redondo and Hermosa Beach have a larger population of white individuals and less black and Latinos. It is important to understand how these demographic makeups within these neighborhoods affect the resources available for residents and continue to cause drastic disparities.

It is not uncommon that areas across Los Angeles continue to experience forms of segregation whether based on race or socioeconomic status. Redlining has become ingrained in many of the cities across LA and it is very much noticeable not only with the demographics of residents but also through the allocation of resources available. For the purposes of this report, I am addressing the concerns for food access. Many LA residents live in communities that are considered food deserts, meaning they lack access to fresh food and super markets near by. The map to the right details the low-income populations that live beyond 1/2 mile from a supermarket. The dark blue areas represent highest amount of low-income residents within these LA areas. As detailed in the map, low-income residents with less accessibility to supermarkets live within the inner parts of LA. Areas of South Central, East LA, and surrounding areas are more affected. One can note that the surrounding red line areas within the LA neighborhoods I mentioned, do experience lack of food access. While the green historical Area A locations do not experience a lack of access to supermarkets. What does this mean for LA county? Whose needs have we been historically ignoring?

Food Access is such an important issue for our lower income residents. These areas in LA are populated by black and Latino residents, who are unable to have access to clean, organic, and healthier food. After years of communities of color facing racial and economic disparities, LA county continues to devalue residents, while wealthier communities are able to enjoy the abundance of resources and amenities. Our residents health are at risk and their ability to grow their own food or have places to get healthier food are very slim. It takes city officials and developers to think about ways to develop sustainable communities across LA. The policy recommendation I will address is for areas of land not being used, schools, and other open spaces within these neighborhoods to be designed in ways that encompass nature and sustainable living. Whether planting more trees and plants across the streets in these areas and most importantly finding places to create gardens and plant fruits/vegetables for residents to pick - with easy access. Allocating funds for access to healthier food can be very minimal, if community members and volunteers from neighboring cities help establish healthy-living. It is important to understand that residents should not be living amongst pollution and trash, due to lack of maintenance and access to nature. Therefore, I recommend that developers and city officials allocate the necessary funding with the help of communities to establish a livable and sustainable living.

This brings me to my final note, the use of Cultivate LA sites to further food access to low-income residents. I wanted to tie back to the Cultivate LA sites previously mentioned within the Food Access assignment. It is amazing that there have been a multitude of community organizers and organizations that have established farms, school gardens, nurseries, and community gardens. These resources have been created with the power and will of community members. Low-income residents have access to these agricultural sites and this needs to be further addressed to these individuals. Having access to these agricultural sites can be more sustainable and lead residents to eat healthier organic foods. While supermarkets should be built near-by residents, these services establish healthier lifestyles as well as create a cleaner environment within these neighborhoods. LA county needs to continue supporting and giving funds to these projects so they can remain. In recent years these projects have better served LA residents who live within food deserts. In conclusion, this report has been to illustrate how redlining has affected communities of color to gain access to resources and has created unequal disparities for its residents. Still, black and Latino residents make up the major parts of historically redlined areas, LA county needs to acknowledge that systemic issues have stemmed from these historically racist and unequal housing laws. Residents of color deserve better, they should not have to worry about access to food, while the rest of LA county has better funds to develop sustainable communities.