by Belinda Youlten

Created on: March 24, 2007   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

Distressed inner-city neighborhoods are the open wounds of a city. Areas where poverty stricken and low incomes earners are forced to live. Where residents of other neighborhoods have a disposable income to spend on aesthetics around their homes. These residents rely heavily on the local government and volunteers to improve their conditions.

However, these neigborhoods are often dangerous high crime areas making volunteers reluctant to help out. Government funding is often low and frustrated by the constant repairs to public property caused by mindless crime and graffiti. Leaving conditions to only spiral further downward.

One possible solution to improving conditions is to create a resident group. Members of local and government officials meet with the group on a regular basis to help and suggest ways of improving conditions. A simple enough solution although actually getting the residents together can be a problem as many have to work a number of jobs just to survive.

Requiring that landlords be responsible for keeping living conditions to a higher standard. Not that they'd be too happy about it as real estate is always a money making venture.

However people often become what they're surrounded by. Living in an area where the windows are broken and nobody cares or where no one is held responsible, creates an acceptance of your situation.

Improving conditions is a slow and hard road but starting with improving living standards in some small way can be the beginning of a road to improvement.

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