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A Low-Income Senior Home In Chinatown Could Get Help From The Feds
Some Businesses in Chinatown have reopened.
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Chava Sanchez/LAist
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For months, tenants of Cathay Manor, a low-income senior housing complex in Chinatown have spoken out about broken elevators and other substandard living conditions. Congressmember Jimmy Gomez is now calling for the board members who manage the property to resign.
A recent inspection by federal officials found evidence of rodent and roach infestations, exposed wires, and other hazards, according to a representative for the congressman. The representative noted that the conditions and the lack of investment are “not new.”
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has ordered board president Don Toy to hire a company to fix the problems in the building, informing Toy at one point that serious problems persist with his leadership.
Toy said he has hired a management company and stayed on top of repairs.
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“Can there be problems that range from minor repairs to maybe some others? Of course,” he said. “But those are things that we, in general, try to address.”
Tenants and their advocates say otherwise. Chinatown Community for Equitable Development organizer King Cheung notes the involvement of a government official in asking for Toy's removal is a crucial step.
“Hopefully we have a new slate and people that are more responsible and more competent to manage the property,” he said.
Gomez said he will also investigate how Toy has used federal money that was supposed to go toward building maintenance.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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