Zone of Hope : Section of Pacoima Pushing for Empowerment Zone

To relieve poverty in the area, local officials in Pacoima are pushing for a central section of that community and a southern part of Lake View Terrace to be included in the city’s federal empowerment zone application. That designation would allow the residents and businesses in the 1.9-square mile area to share $100 million in social service grants and give businesses located inside the zone tax incentives for hiring people who live there.

The proposed area included two large public housing complexes, two schools and commercial strips along sections of Van Nuys, Glenoaks and Foothill boulevards. Most of the rest is made up of modest single-family homes.

In June, the City Council and mayor will decide if Pacoima will be among the areas included in the city’s empowerment zone application. Later this summer, the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development will select six urban areas around the country for empowerment zone status.

Remapping a Local Economy

While commercial areas along Van Nuys and Glenoaks boulevards will probably be reserved for small shops and businesses, sections along Foothill Boulevard could be the focus of light industries and warehouses. City Councilman Richard Alarcon envisions a concessions business for the park.

Comparing Ethnic Makeups

1990 U.S. Census statistics for Pacoima empowerment zone, community of Pacoima and city of Los Angeles (Pacoima stats include Arleta):

Empowerment Zone

Latino: 69%

African-American: 18%

White: 9%

Other: 4%

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Arleta/Pacoima

Latino: 70%

White: 14%

African-American: 10%

Other: 6%

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Los Angeles

Latino: 39%

White: 37%

African-American: 13%

Other: 10%

Voices of the Community

Despite the problems they face, community members remain optimistic:

“It’s like everybody comes here expecting to see dirty streets and gang-this and gang-that, but we don’t want to live like that. We’re human too.”

- Floyd Frazer, 51, a 17-year resident

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“These are small things, but these are the things that make a difference in the long run.”

- Ana Alvarez, manager of Van Nuys Pierce Park apartments, on community efforts to curb graffiti, drug and alcohol sales.

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“It is a very poor community, but there’s a tremendous amount of pride here. You can be poor, but that doesn’t mean that you have to grovel or look like you are poor.”

- Celia Costas, principal of Maclay Junior High School.

Contrasting Profiles

Empowerment Arleta/ Los zone Pacoima Angeles Below Poverty Level Total 30.6% 17.1% 18.9% Latino 37.7% 20.3% 28.2% Women w/children 67.5% 52.4% 60.0% Latinas w/children 76.4% 53.9% 62.0%

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Empowerment Arleta/ Los zone Pacoima Angeles Employment Unemployment 13.8% 9.1% 8.4% Receives Public Assistance 17.8% 2.7% 4.4%

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Empowerment Arleta/ Los zone Pacoima Angeles Language Speak little/no English 21.0% 21.5% 17.0% Speak Spanish at home 60.0% 57.0% 35.0%

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Empowerment Arleta/ Los zone Pacoima Angeles Education Over 18, not high school 64.0% 57.0% 34.0% graduates