East Palo Alto, once a hotbed for crime, is undergoing a transformation. Tech companies are moving in, bringing with them a wave of affluent workers. Despite the economic boost, this shift is causing friction, with the local community being priced out of the housing market.

The city’s demographics are changing rapidly, with the African-American population dropping from 61% in 1980 to 16.7% today. Meanwhile, the Hispanic population has surged to 64.5%.

East Palo Alto’s strategic location in Silicon Valley is attracting tech giants like Amazon and Facebook, who are establishing offices there. This influx of tech workers is driving up property prices, making it unaffordable for many locals.

The city’s officials are grappling with how to manage this gentrification. They are striving to balance the economic benefits brought by the tech companies with the needs of the existing community.

Several initiatives are in place to ease the tensions. These include the ‘Right to Return’ policy, which gives priority to previous residents for affordable housing, and the ‘Community Fund’, which provides financial aid for people facing eviction.

Despite these measures, the future of East Palo Alto remains uncertain. The city is at a crossroads, caught between the promise of economic prosperity and the preservation of its unique cultural identity.

Go to source article: http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/10/east-of-palo-altos-eden/