The next wave of new residents was a result of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake . While the structures of the colonia were not heavily affected , the area received a large influx of others from more affected areas . This increased the population , but it also increased pressure to build more affordable housing . Since that time a number of groups representing the poor have pushed for more affordable housing in the area . This has created conflict with older residents who wish to retain the older mansions and other constructions as well as the more traditional feel of the colonia . The Instituto de Vivienda de Distrito Federal has built low income housing in the colonia , both to increase the number of area residents as to provide housing to those with scarce resources . Thirty seven of these new constructions were built in the early 2000s and have led to complaints that they do not fit in with many of the traditional structures . The influx of lower income resident has caused much of the middle class to leave and many properties abandoned . This has brought in squatters and homeless and the colonia continues to deteriorate . Today , the colonia has one of the highest crime rates in the city . The crime problems in this colonia and others such as Colonia Atlampa and Colonia San Rafael had become so bad , especially drug dealing , that the city expropriated a number of properties . In Santa Maria , three properties on Eligio Ancona and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz streets were taken . The city has plans to convert at least one of the properties into a youth drug rehabilitation center
1985 Mexico City earthquake
1985 Mexico City earthquake
Colonia Santa María la Ribera