Evidence of Gentrification-induced Displacement among Social Services in London and Los Angeles

Abstract

This paper addresses two key gaps within the gentrification/displacement literature: whether gentrification is displacing social services and whether displacement patterns differ comparatively. To this end, evidence is examined of gentrification-induced displacement of 81 purposively sampled social service facilities across gentrifying boroughs in London (Islington, Lambeth, Southwark and Westminster) and areas in Los Angeles (Downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice) during the 1998–2008 period. Results suggested that substantial entrapment co-exists alongside displacement and, in fact, was more commonplace.