The Urban core is purposely kept poor and in want.
Let's just say two of the zip codes, the median income is above the federal poverty level, but in San Diego you will not make it on 19K a year. It is the fourth most expensive city in the country.
Don't know (and don't want to know) from where she pulls that stat-oid, but San Diego isn't even the fourth most expensive major city in CA.
The reason the "poor" tend to be concentrated in particular areas rather than evenly mixed throughout the entire city is that they live where housing is least expensive. Though some intrusive city councils are trying to strong-arm it, developers don't usually mix Section 8 apartment complexes in with 5000-20000 square foot McMansions.
No one but themselves and their friends keep a poor person from getting an education.
No one but themselves and their friends keep a poor person from getting an entry-level job.
No one but themselves and their friends keep a poor person from advancing in that job.
No one but themselves and their friends keep a poor person from getting advanced education.
No one but themselves and their friends keep a poor person from getting started in the career for which that education prepares them.