It’s not new… Kensington was always rough, way back when I was growing up in the 70s. It’s worse now, but it’s not new.
I was stationed at the Navy Base in Philly for a few months in 1968...I never saw anything like it is now...Of course I hardly went more than 4-5 blocks east or west of Broad Street...
Back in the 70s I lived in the Fairmount section of the city, just south of Girard Avenue. I and everyone I knew was aware that you just don’t go in to Kensington. Not if you want to come back out alive. I can’t imagine trying to live in there.