The Gentrification of Inglewood, CA

The Gentrification of Inglewood, CA

Hooray the Rams are back in LA!!!  The interests responsible for bringing the Rams back to Los Angeles would have you believe that this is great windfall for the greater Los Angeles area. I agree with that for the most part. They have made special light of what they say will be a tremendous revitalization of Inglewood, CA.  Hey, not so fast there.  Let's look at the impact it will have on the residents and small businesses too, not just the big business owners.

I am a resident of Inglewood.  I live on the north side of town closer to Culver City.  I rent a two bedroom apartment.  My landlord has raise my rent twice for a total of 40% in just the last year alone.  The owners of the property believe that with the new stadium going up in Inglewood that property values will skyrocket and they want to get a jump on this new found value.

I believe that a major disservice has been dealt to the residents (renters) and small business owners of Inglewood.  The city should have put some type of protection in place for the residents and shop owners as part of the deal that gave the go ahead for the building of the new stadium.  It is not uncommon at all for Southern California cities and towns to institute rent control.  At the rate that rents are rising, very few of that renter population of Inglewood will be able to afford to live here, Thus, forcing a mass exodus of long time Inglewood residents to less costly areas.  Residents of other greater Los Angeles cities will be moving in.  This will completely change the landscape and demographic of that city.  I know there are many interests that are just fine with the gentrification of Inglewood and would argue that you can't stop progress.  They might go even further to say that we live in a capitalist society, so they should be able to do whatever they want in the name of business.  I respond though saying that Inglewood has a rich community culture and it begs to be preserved. Just as historical parts of LA are protected or even county, state and national parks.  We have several time in the past as a society made the stand that what is good for business is not always what is good for society!!