This joint is a low-end gated community. The back entrance actually has a gate. The front entrance (leading to the 7-Eleven) does not. There is a wall around the periphery. It was constructed quite recently. Most of the occupants appear to be transient renters.
Take a tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVGeFAvzqyA (Uploaded Mar 28, 2010).
Oh how interesting! Thanks for the link. Yes, must say "gated community" takes on a whole different interpretation after what you wrote.