MW16-Kensington: A Misunderstood Neighborhood

The Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia once was a center for textile manufacturing, an industry that generated more than 300,000 local jobs. But when factories closed after World War II, a long period of disinvestment followed. Today Kensington is notorious for its open-air drug market and the presence of transient drug users along commercial corridors and transit stops of the raised Market-Frankford line, known as the L. The housing stock is old and the poverty rate is 45%, yet the area has assets: its walkability, residents and businesses who care and strong neighborhood-based organizations. The transit line is another big asset, but also threatens residents with gentrification, as luxury apartment complexes shoot up along the Avenue. Hear from community members and leaders about their efforts to invest in human capital, affordable housing and resident health as well as efforts to resist displacement and maintain local control of property and businesses.